Chapter Text
“Hey, angel,” Coriolanus called out, moving to lift the binder from his desk. He glanced inside to ensure everything was inside, adjusting it against his chest. “Have you seen my tie?”
There was no answer, which only caused him to lift his gaze to focus. He was met with silence in the rest of the house, which was far from what he had been expecting. The house was always filled with noise, some song, some sound that echoed the joy of his girls. It was only quiet when the two were asleep or just not home.
That silence was now something he no longer enjoyed as he once had. He didn’t care for the quiet, for the peace that he had always connected to it. He wanted the noise. He craved it. It was a reminder of how things had changed. A change that he had grown to welcome, that he was no longer terrified of.
He moved to stack another binder on top, making his way out of the office to try and find any sign of the two of them. It was early enough, of course, he’d slipped out of bed early to finish some paperwork. But he had expected at least some movement, especially with the day that they had.
Their bedroom door was open as he passed by their empty bed. More days than not lately, he'd find her curled up and numb. The Games always took their toll on her, no matter what they tried. “Lucy Gray?” He called out, brow furrowed as he walked down the hallway.
He was only met with more silence in response. Which was far from something that made him feel at ease. “Lucy Gr-”
His call of worry quieted as his eyes landed on the head of the blonde who stood in the living room. She was standing in front of the little mirror, fidgeting with something in front of her.
“What are you doing, Mimi?”
His voice must have spooked her if the way Maude Ivory whipped around to look at him was a sign. A scowl that didn't match her normal sunny disposition was settled on her face. Uncomfortable, likely, that was the best way he could describe how she looked where she stood.
His gaze dropped to look over the girl, catching sight of what had had her attention. Her fingers were curled around the fabric around her neck, a deep red that he'd been looking for. It was longer than it should be and crooked from where she'd been trying to fix it.
“This ain't even the same color.” There was that drawl that was even thicker than Lucy Gray's. “And how are you even ‘pposed to wear this?”
Coriolanus settled his binders down onto the counter, making his way over to where the girl was settled. “It's not the same color because it’s mine,” he chuckled, his hand moving to loosen the knot and get the tie off of her neck.
“It looked like it would go with this fancy stuff.” There was another little huff from the younger girl, still looking displeased even after she was freed from the tie. “You really wore this kinda thing?” Her hands settled on her hips, looking up to him with narrowed eyes.
“The real one is even worse,” he commented, moving to slip the tie on himself. His fingers worked to fix the knot and gave the girl a sympathetic look when she scowled even further. It was far from what she had wanted to hear, he was sure. “Skirt and pants.”
“And pants?” A groan left the girl, her head of curls throwing back in her dramatics. “Don't think I need to even go then.”
A chuckle left him at her suggestion, his fingers adjusting the collar on his button-up. “It's not so bad,” he reasoned. “Lucy Gray thought so, at least. I wooed her while wearing it.”
Her nose scrunched out as if in disgust, sticking her tongue in response. “That don't mean anything,” she said with a laugh, turning to look back in the mirror. “Don't think it was the outfit, Coco.”
Coco. The name she'd decided on calling him after Coriolanus had felt like too much to use. Coriolanus was too proper, too formal, not the name to call him when he had stepped in the way he had in her life.
A scoff left him in defiance, shaking his head as he worked on buttoning up his vest. “Everyone wears the same thing, makes it an even playing field, I assume,” he offered. Not that it was a matter when it came to the girl. It was all too stuffy, and even though he'd worn it as many days as he had, he was grateful to never have to wear it again.
“They could have picked a better color,” she shrugged, tugging at the end of the blazer she had on. “I ever tell you how much I hate red?”
“Every time I wear it,” he reasoned with a small grin. “Every time you walk into my office too.”
“It's just so boring.” Boring. For any other person, the color would be too much. But for Lucy Gray and Maude Ivory, it was near hell to only be in one real color. “And serious.”
Tigris had created the outfit the girl currently had on. It was as close to the Academy uniform as it would come before she officially got her own. It was still a bit too big for her like she still had so much to grow.
“I really have to wear it today?”
“It'll show how much you want it,” he offered, hoping that would help soothe some. “That you'll fit right in there, they won't be able to question it.”
Which they certainly had. They'd gone out of their way to try and give them an issue about it. What had meant to be a meeting to sign paperwork had turned into a near all-out war with the admissions board of the Academy. The money wasn't a problem, by any means. The issue was just who the girl was and where she had been raised. Even with the endless paperwork that had taken far longer than they had liked to get her there.
They'd just scraped by with a chance. It'd taken everything in them to get just that. A day of testing to see if she could even qualify for The Academy if she could fit in. If she could adjust to the lifestyle that came along with the opportunity.
“We have to be more selective. We can't forget about the last district-born that we allowed in.”
It'd had Lucy Gray on edge ever since. She'd had to sit quietly during the meeting, spoken right over as if she weren't there. She'd gripped tight to her own hands, buried her nails into her palm, and had to keep her gaze down to hide the glare she'd been supporting. The last thing she wanted to do was to walk back in there, let alone prove any of them were right.
“It's still ugly.”
“I know it is,” he chuckled, looking over at the girl standing in front of him. “What are you doing with the hair?” He gestured at her.
It was always a sight to see, something that was near impossible to control by any means. She'd always had feathers or flowers tucked away into the locks back in Twelve. It was her lion’s mane, as she always teased every time Lucy Gray tried to get it untangled.
“I want it out of my face,” she reasoned, tugging at the sleeve of the blazer again. “She said she'd do it but she was…” she whistled, twisting her pointer finger in a circle.
He wasn't surprised, as awful as that felt to even admit to. She’d taken far too long to soothe the night before once the girl had gone to bed. It was something out of their hands, at least, and they'd know sooner rather than later. “I can do it.”
The look that Maude Ivory sent him caused another laugh to leave him. She moved without mention, settling on the floor in front of the couch. “Don't rip my hair out, Coco.”
His eyes rolled fondly at the idea, moving to settle on the couch behind her. He was far from an expert when it came to hair. He'd watched Lucy Gray enough times, and Tigris had taught him when they'd been younger. It didn't make him an expert, but he could at least try. “How are you feeling?”
“Fine.” The answer was far too quick to be believable. “Better than she is. Don't worry ‘bout me.” Leave it to the girl to try and assure, to keep as much distance from how her head was likely spinning.
“You're going to do great,” he promised, his fingers moving to run through the blonde curls. “You're smart, smarter than I was at your age. You'll blow them out of the water.” You're a Snow, after all.
He was met with quiet from the girl. It would never be something he was used to, not when she was normally the noisiest of them all. “But what if I don't?”
It'd been something that had been on his mind. It was something that could easily happen. Even if her scores were exceptional, the board was the one with the final say. They could get one look at her and want nothing to do with her.
Which was ridiculous in itself. Maude Ivory had always been sunshine. All she tried to do was look for the good in the world. All she wanted was to make sure people knew it was there. Even as she grew, even with every moment that seemed to come and try to strike her down, she was still Maude Ivory.
She was still that little girl who had begged for a piggyback ride because her feet were too tired. The little girl who still rushed to pick flowers on the way home because she thought Lucy Gray would like them. The girl who climbed into their bed when it stormed or when she had a nightmare. The girl who searched for comfort in the two of them, the ones who fought her nightmares away.
“Then we find another school. A school that's worthy of you.” Even if the Academy was the most prestigious in the Capitol, it didn't nearly matter. Not in the long run.
“Won't embarrass you? Not making it?”
Always a worrier, wasn't she? She was always trying to be so mindful of others around her. “Not at all. You'd save yourself from getting embarrassed by me. Might slip up and call you Mimi in class.”
A small laugh left the girl in response, tilting her head back to look at him. “You wouldn't.”
“Oh, I would,” he laughed, tapping his fingers against her scalp to tilt her head forward. “Stop moving, you wiggle worm.” It caused another laugh to leave her, a grin growing at the thought. “Would that embarrass you?”
“I'd never be able to show my face again,” she laughed, trying her best to stay still but she was far from one who could. “Even if you just called me that in passing. Kids were mean back there, sure they're even worse here.”
That was a fair worry. He couldn't even try and pretend that they were nice. He'd seen the way people had pulled apart Sejanus because he was from the districts. He hadn't gone easy on him either. Even if they could argue she wasn't district, technically, that wouldn't matter to any of those kids, he was sure.
“Do I actually have to go to school?”
“You do,” he cleared up quickly, fingers working through her hair as he braided the pieces. “You're too smart to just sit at home all day, I think you might go crazy if you do.”
A groan left Maude Ivory in response, shaking her head at the idea. “I could help Aunt Tigris out with her dresses. I'd be real useful.”
One hand moved to settle on the top of her head to still her in her spot. “As much as she'd love that, she'd want you going to school too, sweet. She went there just like I did.”
“Mama didn't.”
A bittersweet smile settled on his face as his focus turned back to the braid. It'd been a name that came out more the longer that she was with them. She was the closest thing she had ever had to one, properly. And seeing the way Lucy Gray melted every time it slipped just made it that much sweeter. Her Mama and her Coco.
“I don't have to then, right? She didn't even go back in Twelve.”
“She was busy trying to keep things good,” he reminded, voice gentle as could be. “She had lots of responsibilities. She couldn't help that.” She'd done what she had to to take care of her family. “Think that's more reason to do your very best, isn't it?”
There was quiet from the girl for a long moment before she nodded once more. “Yeah.” As much fun as staying home could be, it'd be important. She'd have an upper hand on so many things. Another fresh start for the girl they'd taken in.
Soft footsteps sounded behind him, padding into the living room. There was a shift in the top of the couch behind him, feeling a gentle pressure against his shoulder. “What are you two doing?”
“Her hair.”
“Why's it sideways?”
Which… was fair. He had never said he was an expert by any means. Even less so when Maude Ivory wiggled around like no other. “It's a Snow signature. A sideways Snow braid.”
“His big fingers couldn't start from the top,” Maude Ivory announced decidedly in response. “Does it look bad?”
“No.” Though it far from sounded like she completely believed it. “Different but it does the job. You’ll have to show me how to do it, might need it for myself.” Always was the first to try and soothe, to assure them both.
“Anytime, angel,” he chuckled, smiling at the thought. There was a small tap against his shoulder, tilting his head to look back at her. He was met with tired eyes, a softness that he always loved to fall into. One hand moved to reach and take the hair tie from her, dropping a kiss against her cheek. “Always here to save the day, aren’t you?”
“I try.” That softness he could always melt into, the sweet that just radiated after Lucy Gray, that he loved more than anything. She was always soft, nearly too soft for the world, that he only wanted to keep safe.
Coriolanus finished up the last pieces of the braid, getting it tied and settled on her shoulder. It would work, it was something he was sure people wouldn’t think twice about. Maybe it was a little more messy than it would have been if Lucy Gray had been in charge of it, but it worked.
“Let me see you.”
Maude Ivory sighed before she moved to push herself up to her feet. She twisted in her spot, something near to a spin to show off the outfit. There was some attempt at a smile, though there was an uneasiness to it.
“Oh, look at you, you look beautiful,” Lucy Gray cooed, moving to make her way around the couch. “Arms up for me.”
The younger girl shifted her arms as she was told as Lucy Gray worked her way around her. She’d hit her growth spurt, it had seemed, having grown taller than her by that point.
Lucy Gray’s hands moved to tuck the back of her button-up into the skirt, a smile as she walked around her. “There we are, little bird,” she breathed, squeezing her around her waist. “This looks real nice. Real close to his, we’ll have to show it to you one day.”
“He told me about it,” the girl pulled a face, looking a bit disgusted at the thought. “Said he wooed you in it.”
“Did he?” she laughed, her hands moving to adjust the end of the braid for her, pressing back a few stray pieces of hair from her face. “Wooed?” There was something teasing as she moved to face him with a pointed look. “Is that what we’re calling it now?”
Coriolanus nodded at the idea, grinning at the sight of the two of them standing side by side. The bright red of the younger girl’s outfit next to the white of Lucy Gray’s, the height difference that was only bound to continue to grow. “I think it’s close to what happened.”
“I wouldn't say wooed ,” she laughed, a sound that he was sure rivaled only her singing for the greatest sound in the world. “But he did look real pretty in it.”
“You hear that, I'm pretty.”
Lucy Gray grinned as she moved to clear the space between them, eyes falling onto the girl in front of her. “Go grab some extra clothes and put them in your bag.” When she was only met with confusion, she soothed just as quickly. “We're going to see the Plinths for dinner.”
That seemed to perk up the girl, who was already moving past the two of them. “SJ's gonna be there?”
“Sure is, got the shift off,” she spoke, watching as the girl rushed past the couch and down the hall. “Wear something you can get dirty in, Ma needs help in her garden.
“The garden too?” Maude Ivory didn't have to be told twice, disappearing down the hall to her room.
Lucy Gray turned her gaze back to Coriolanus, a smile at the sight of him. “She'll be tired out, at least.” The girl could sleep all night on days she got to go run her energy out.
Coriolanus reached with his hands, taking her wrists into his to bring her in closer. He pressed a kiss to both palms, looking up to her with a smile. “A good night then,” he whispered, brushing his thumbs along the scarred skin. “You feeling okay?”
“Fine,” she answered just as quickly as Maude Ivory had. “Worried about that one. Big day.”
His touch shifted, moving up her arms and to her elbows to bring her close and pull her down into his lap. He adjusted to wrap his arms around her, tucking her in close, chin settled on her shoulder. “It is.”
She tucked into him, resting her cheek against his temple. She was searching for comfort, trying to bury away against him as best as she could. He didn't have to look at her to see the worry that was filling her gaze. That she was exhausted, she was struggling and trying to seem everything but.
“We'll be out as soon as we can,” he promised, pressing a kiss to her shoulder. “And you know what's great about everything?”
“Hm?”
“I'll get to take her every day. Won't have to step foot there again.” It was one plus to it all. He'd taken over assisting Dr. Gaul at the Academy and did more of the lessons than she did. It was to keep him encompassed with it all, with all of the reminders, especially when preparing The Games was off-season. “Even if she gets in trouble, goes to the Dean’s office. You won't have to go.”
“That's good.” There was a quiet to her words, something that matched Maude Ivory not that long before.
“Hey.” The touch was gentle, gentle as could be, a small tap against her chin. It was enough to catch her attention to focus on him. “There's no proof of any of it. All gone. Like the games never even happened.” Not that it was all that comforting. “It's just a school. We'll make sure we don't pass any of it.”
The quietest of a sniffle sounded from her as she nodded in agreement. “Yeah.”
He adjusted his hold on her, shifting her against him to face her properly. His thumb pinched against her chin, tucking her head down properly to catch her eyes. They were watery, fighting back tears from what he could see. “It's okay.” He was sure that wasn't comforting to hear. “It's going to be a good day. She's going to do great and so are you. We're gonna hold your hand so tight, won't feel on your own for a second.”
It'd always been something they'd found comforting. She had held onto him for dear life every chance she could when she had first arrived. It hadn't changed either. The constant touch and pressure seemed to be enough to slow her rushing heartbeat.
“I've got you. I always do, don't I?”
Another soft nod.
“That's not going to change.” He did everything he could to show her that. Whatever it took to prove it to her, time and time again. “I've got my girls. I always will.” He pulled her in closer, pressing their foreheads together. That comfort, the soothing touch they always searched for.
“I know you do, Darlin’.”
Coriolanus shifted his touch against her jaw, bringing her in closer to him. He was quick to kiss her, to let her sink away into him. It was gentle as ever, sweet little kisses shared between them both. It was far from the hunger that could linger In their kisses. But it poured every feeling of love, of adoration that he had for her.
“Ew.”
A laugh bubbled out of Lucy Gray as she pulled away, tilting her head back. “You know, one of these days, you'll be all loved up like this and it won't be so gross.”
“Don't think I'll ever be as gross as you two are.”
Another laugh left her in response, pecking his lips once more before she worked her way out of his hold. “You hear this one, Coriolanus?” She tsked playfully, finally managing to her feet.
“I used to say the same thing,” he chuckled, moving to his own feet. His fingers squeezed gently against Lucy Gray's waist as he passed by.
“What happened?” Curiosity. Even if the girl’s nose was still scrunched up in her own disgust.
“I wooed him.” There was a laugh that left Lucy Gray, making her way over to help get the girl’s backpack onto her.
She was just met with a groan and a roll of her eyes, sticking her tongue out. “I don’t want to hear any of that.”
“Too late,” Lucy Gray laughed, getting her tucked away. Her arms wrapped around the younger girl, a playful rock in her hold. “He was starstruck by me, wooed him, made him all mine. Came all the way out there just for me.”
Another groan left Maude Ivory as Coriolanus made his way to pick up his messenger bag. He settled everything inside of it, getting it settled over his shoulder.
“The kinda love you write songs about, ain’t that romantic?”
“It’s gross.” The girl laughed this time, moving to try and nudge her way out of the grip. “Mama, you’re gonna make us late.”
A sigh left Lucy Gray this time, one last squeeze as she kissed against her face too many times. “Fine, fine. I guess we’ll go.” She adjusted to loosen her grip, letting the blonde break free from her hold.
The walk to the Academy was longer than it normally would take for them to get there. They would head straight there, right past all of the reminders of the events. It’d been one Lucy Gray had wanted to avoid from the time the first banner had been hung up along the way. She hated every reminder of the Games and would refuse to leave their bed, let alone their home. The long way around had been the easiest way to get there, any sign of it all covered by other buildings, enough to give the illusion she needed.
They’d walked side-by-side, fingers laced together and refusing to let go. Every now and then, a far too tight of a squeeze would press into his own palm. He still wasn’t sure if it was for a reminder or a soothing action, but she didn’t let him stray far by any means.
Maude Ivory had nearly skipped the entire way, even without knowing which way they were heading. She’d stayed close in front of them, not wandering too far from either of their side. But far enough away she didn’t have to listen to just how gross and in love they were.
It wasn’t until they had gotten to the bottom of the steps to the school that she sank back to the two of them. Without a word, she moved in between them both, squeezing right in like she would when she crawled into their bed. She waited without a word for their hands to unlace, taking them into her own.
Coriolanus led them inside, eyes scanning over a few faces that were passing by. There was one he was looking for specifically, one that would hopefully make it a bit easier. “You’ll have someone with you, keep an eye out, make sure you don’t get lost.”
Lucy Gray’s head turned to look at him, that uneasiness was all too clear on her face. She likely hadn’t been expecting that, and she could have tried to stay attached as best as she could. But it hadn’t been something he’d brought up just in case she just refused.
“I was starting to think you were getting cold feet.”
The voice caught his attention enough to bring his focus to who it had come from. Lysistrata. Likely the only person Lucy Gray would even come close to being okay with being around her girl.
He could see the worry melt off of Lucy Gray’s form as she realized just who was standing there. She moved to let go of Maude Ivory’s hand, making her way over to the familiar face to hug.
Maude Ivory pulled a face, turning to look at him as if he’d managed Lucy Gray right back over. Like he had all of the answers regarding just how things were going.
“This is her,” he gestured a bit with their still-laced hands. “She’s going to be your escort, her name’s Lyssie, she’s going to take real good care of you.” It was a promise, the closest he could assure her. “You do everything she says, she’s the best there is.”
Lysistrata turned her attention to the youngest, a warm smile on her face as she looked at her. “And you must be Maude Ivory.” When she got a nervous nod from the girl, she offered her hand out to her. “I have heard so many amazing things.”
“You have?”
“Absolutely. Coriolanus tells me about you all of the time. He’s got a picture of the three of you on his desk. He’s very proud.”
That seemed to perk the girl up, reaching to take her hand and shake it in her own. “That’s me.” Her head nodded, her braid bouncing off of her shoulder as she looked at her. “Hope he’s not too embarrassing, they both like to do that.”
“I’ll make sure that he watches himself. Don’t you worry about that,” she laughed, shaking her hand politely before she gave her a smile. “We’ve got a very busy day, Miss. Maude Ivory. Say your goodbyes, let them have your bag, and then the two of us are going to go get breakfast. How’s that sound?”
“Real good.” The younger girl shifted to drop his hand, moving to take the backpack off, seeming to be a bit more at ease than before. “Thank you.”
“Don’t you worry about it,” she assured before she gave Coriolanus a small nudge. “I’ll let you three have a minute. Take your time, she has plenty.”
“Thank you, Lyssie. Couldn’t be able to do this without you.” He gave her shoulder a squeeze, eyes falling back on Maude Ivory as she shifted her backpack to hold out to them. “You ready?”
“Ready.”
Lucy Gray settled in front of the girl, her hands moving to settle against her cheeks. It was the softness that always moved through her, always trying to soothe how she did. “You’re going to go right in there, and you’re going to do amazing. They won’t know what hit them.” Loving, calming, sweet as could be. “You’re the smartest girl in the whole world. You don’t let a single person try and tell you otherwise, darlin’. You understand?”
There was a little grumble that left the girl, likely from how squished her face was at that point.
“You take that great big breath and you trust what you know. We are so proud of you. No matter what.”
“I know.” There was a smile, no matter how much she was trying to grumble away about just how babied she was being then. She was always one that was worried about being embarrassed, about being babied like no other. “I love you.”
“I love you too, birdie.” It was the tightest of squeezes, holding on for dear life to the girl she loved more than anything in the world. “Sunny side, right?”
The girl nodded her head, letting out a small breath as the older pulled away from her. “Sunny side.”
Coriolanus gave her a smile, moving to pull the girl into him in a hug. She just continued to grow and swore every time that he hugged her she was getting taller. “You’ve got it,” he assured, feeling the girl’s grip tighten around him. “We’ll be right here when you get finished. We’ll go get ice cream afterward.” Some reward no matter how things went. It’d be something to look forward to.
“It’ll be okay.” There she was trying to soothe, to relax, just the same way that Lucy Gray did. They were more alike every day, he was sure of that.
“Don’t let any of them intimidate you. Try and act all big scary. Just ignore them. You’re best when you’re you, Mimi.” He pulled back just enough, looking down at the younger girl. “Do your best.”
“I will.” Her hand slipped between them, holding up her hand to him, her pinkie sticking out for him. It was something years before he would have rolled his eyes at, scoffed, and ignored. But when it came to Maude Ivory, he folded a thousand times over. “You keep an eye on her.”
“Don’t you worry about her, I’ve got her.” His pinky wrapped around hers, squeezing gently. “You be good for her.” He pulled back, giving her a smile at the sight of her. “Don’t cause too much trouble.”
“Just a little bit.” Another laugh left her, sweet as could be. She gave a small wave as she took a few steps back, moving to turn her attention back to Lyssie.
His eyes fell onto the girl as she turned to walk away, chuckling to himself as he took in the sight of her. Just like always, there the tail of the shirt was slipping out from where Lucy Gray had worked to tuck away. “Her and her tail feathers.”
“She would have killed you if you said that loud enough.” There was a choked laugh beside him where Lucy Gray had settled next to him. Even before he looked at her, he knew she was fighting back more tears.
He let the silence linger between them, easily reaching to take his hand into hers. He pressed a kiss to the palm of her hand, stroking against the rough skin there. He’d let her have a moment, knowing better than to push. Especially when she already had a thousand thoughts in her mind.
A long sigh left Lucy Gray, eyes watching as the younger girl disappeared alongside Lyssie. Her other hand that wasn’t in his moved to wipe at her eyes. “You know,” she breathed, shaking her head. “I remember her first day of school. Just came up to my hip. Wanted me to carry her the whole way in and cried her eyes out.”
“How’d she do?”
“Perfect. Never cried again. She loved every single second of it. The little angel that she is,” she sighed, turning her head to look at him. Watery eyes watching him as if he had all of the answers in the world. “She’ll be okay?”
“She’ll be perfect.”
It took more than enough coaxing to get her to move from her spot. He was sure that she would stay glued to her spot and wait at the door. She’d be waiting for any sight, any news, though she wouldn’t get that any sooner than he would.
It’d taken a few hours, a few hours letting her curl up in his hold. He hadn’t been able to move anywhere without her attached to him. It was the kind of clinging that she only did when she was feeling every little thing. When it was all too overwhelming for her. He had to manage his arms around her, working around her to finish up what he was working on.
She’d buried herself away into his neck, hidden away from the world as time passed. Her fingers were curled up in his vest, safe from the world. He had been half sure that Lucy Gray had fallen asleep against him when he was met with quiet. It’d been the most at peace she’d likely been for weeks now.
But a soft hum had started to move through her, the vibration of her lips against his neck causing a small laugh to move through him. It was familiar, a tune that he’d heard far too many times through their home. The same song that had radiated through the Hob that night, that had always seemed to have brought them both comfort. The kind of sound that hummed on nights Maude Ivory hadn't been able to sleep.
One hand ran along the small of her back, as gentle as could be as he felt a few kisses against his neck. Sweet, gentle, nowhere near as wild as she could be. The two of them could get lost in one another, far more often than anything.
“You keep that up,” he breathed, letting his thumb run along the white fabric of her dress. She always looked so sweet, pure, every bit innocent and good. Everything that he felt he needed to cling onto for dear life. “I’m gonna have to make sure that door’s locked.”
A breathy laugh left her as she heard the warning, not that it seemed to stop her from it by any means. It only led to a few more kisses under the collar of his shirt. “I think we’ve ran out of new places at home.”
Another laugh left him in response, shaking his head as she kissed away at his skin. “Close to it,” he teased, not able to hide his grin. “Think that’s too much of a risk, angel.”
“See, you say that,” she sighed, pulling away to look up to him. There was that perfect face, the one he’d run late to work for because he couldn’t stop staring in the morning. “Every time. I could make you a real long list of when you’ve said that if you’d like.”
He had no doubt about that, by any means. She could do it without hesitation, she had endless times before. It sounded more and more ridiculous every time that she did. “I think I know them all by now,” he teased, shifting to touch against her chin. “Maybe, maybe,” he whispered, cupping her chin between his thumb and pointer. “Just maybe, we can see if Mimi wants a sleepover tonight,” he whispered. “She’d be safe. Won’t have to worry about her. Just you and me.”
It’d been something they hadn’t had for a while. Lucy Gray hadn’t wanted Maude Ivory out of reach, out of her sight. As if she were worried something would go wrong, that the girl would be ripped out of her hold and tossed into the arena. It would hopefully get easier over time. That the memories wouldn’t keep such a chokehold on her.
It took a moment, those doe eyes searching, working through a dozen things she was jumping through. Then her head nodded, gentle, curt, a soft breath in response. “Yeah,” she whispered, pressing into his touch. “I think it’d be okay. For the night.”
“For the night.”
Lucy Gray gave another small nod at the promise. It would at least be enough for the night. That was all they needed, a slow coaxing back into normalcy. Something to get them back to how things once were, how they could be.
“Anything you want tonight,” he promised, his fingers loosening around her chin and moving to push back her hair from her face. “A warm bath, a good night's sleep, oven smores,” he soothed, pressing kisses against her cheeks.
It was enough to cause a few giggles to leave her in response, her nose scrunching up as he kissed against it. “That does sound like a good night.” Her fingers moved to cup his face, the way she always loved to do. It was enough to squish his cheeks, the same way she’d done to Maude Ivory. “I love you.”
His own laugh left him at the touch, shaking his head in response. “I love you.” A laugh of his own left him, smiling at his perfect girl.
She’d just managed to lean in close enough, lips brushing against one another when the phone on his desk started to ring. Her head tilted back, out of his touch, letting out a groan as he reached around her. “Every single time.”
Coriolanus chuckled as he moved to pick up the phone, letting his other hand take hers as he scooted back his chair. It was the gentlest of nudges, helping her out of his lap. “We'll be right there.”
That seemed to be enough to wipe the pout off of Lucy Gray’s features. She adjusted her dress, giving him a pointed look, as if he was already taking too long. Her fingers reached out, tapping together to grab at him as sweetly as she always did.
He moved to hang up the phone, settling it back in its spot before he moved to stand. “C’mon,” he whispered, squeezing her hand once she’d laced their fingers together.
Maude Ivory was already standing there waiting beside Lyssie once they had made their way back to where they’d left her. The moment she’d caught sight of them, she came rushing over, that excited bounce in every step. “Mama!” She easily could have taken the breath out of Lucy Gray at the force she ran into her.
“That’s a good sign,” she laughed, pushing back the fallen pieces of hair from her face. “How’d you do, hm? Looks like it went well.”
There was an excited rambling coming from Maude Ivory, her hands moving excitedly as she tried to explain just what had happened. She was practically bouncing in her spot, completely engrossed in whatever she was trying to get out.
His gaze fell onto Lyssie for a moment, catching the look she sent. His fingers squeezed Lucy Gray’s shoulder before he moved past her. He could keep an eye on the two, at least, a smile easing as she settled next to the other. “It went okay?”
“Fantastic.” That was a relief, at least. “She mopped the floor with those kids, honestly. She’s very bright.” That wasn’t a surprise, by any means. She was their girl, after all. A Snow by her own accords. “She even did well during the oral section, she was impressive.”
“But?” He could hear the lingering statement, the lingering pause. Something that they had to be mindful of.
“But, you’ve got the board against you.” He figured it might be an issue, especially after their initial meeting to even qualify. “You’ve got plenty on your side, scholarships, references. Even Dr. Gaul was impressed by her today.”
He was hoping that was a detail that wouldn’t slip. That Maude Ivory hadn’t noticed the woman who was likely trying to size up the new interruption as she called her. It was the last thing that would bring Lucy Gray any bit of comfort knowing.
“She’s got the Snow legacy. Top of the class, winning mentor, military, money, winner of the Plinth Prize. It’s a real good look.” There was a pause, though, in her words, eyes falling onto his girls laughing not far away. “But, as much as the Capitol loves Lucy Gray, they’re still district, technically. No matter how long they live here, it’s always going to be seen that way, you know that. They’re uneasy because of it.”
Coriolanus nodded in agreement, knowing she was right. Sejanus was every bit just the same, had been there in the Capitol since he was even younger than Maude Ivory and he still had been seen that way. Hell, he was the reason they were all so on edge too, wasn’t he? “Odds?”
Lyssie tilted her head back, pausing just long enough to think before she gave a nod. “I’d say 80. Could be higher. Think Gaul being in her corner is… sadly going to be her best bet.” The woman had a pull like no other. She had a hand in nearly every decision made in the Capitol, it felt. This would likely be no different. “Might be a good idea to hear her thoughts.”
He nodded again, a small sigh at the idea. Lyssie was right. She always was, he was more than aware of that. “I will. It’s not going to be a problem. I’ll send them on and go talk with her.” Whatever it was she’d have to do to get her in, he’d do it. She deserved only the best. And he’d do whatever that was to make it happen.
The other nudged against him, a smile there, something much more reassuring, calm, than the look that had been settled. “If I didn’t know any better, I’d think she really was the two of yours.”
“She is ours,” he answered all too quickly. There was not a moment of hesitation in his words or a moment of regret thinking about it. In every sense of their family, she was theirs. Their little girl, their first baby, and she always would be, no matter what. He couldn’t help the smile at the thought, eyes falling onto Lyssie. He just needed a few moments longer of the peace, of the calm, before he had to go deal with everything.
Whatever thought was on his mind and was ready to slip past was quieted as he heard Maude Ivory’s voice. He couldn’t quite make out what was said, just how her voice seemed to be pointed toward him this time.
His eyes fell on Lucy Gray first, who stood a step or two behind her, eyes looking watery all over again. He had to have missed something. But despite the way her eyes were, there was a grin he was almost sure he'd never seen before.
The rolling of Maude Ivory’s eyes was what caught his attention, looking as close to annoyed as she could. When she met his gaze, blue on blue, her eyebrows raised as she spoke again. “Dad!”
His eyes lifted right from her and back to Lucy Gray, sure every bit of emotions he could ever try and tuck away was settled right on his face. A breath left him, somewhere between being stuck in his throat and a laugh at the name she had called for. “Yeah?”
“Can we go get ice cream now?” There was the briefest pause, glancing back to Lucy Gray before back to him. “Please.”
His gaze fell back to Lyssie beside him, who had her own smile settled at the sight. He spoke about them endlessly, every chance he could. There was no denying just who she belonged to.
“Dr. Gaul can wait.”
“She sure as hell can,” he agreed. His smile only grew, moving to squeeze Lyssie’s shoulder as he started past her. “Thank you. Really.”
His eyes fell back onto the two waiting patiently for him. There Maude Ivory stood, her hand reached out so expectantly for him to take. “Yeah, anything you want, Mimi,” he promised, reaching to close the gap and pressing a kiss to her temple. “Dad’s got it.”
He’d been called a lot of things over the years. There were countless nicknames, curses, and aliases that had stuck. Some were far better than others and some he just wished he could forget. Coryo. Snow. Gent. Darlin’. Coco. Pompous Asshole. Future President of Panem.
Dad, though?
He was sure it was a name he’d never get enough of.