Geothermal heat can warm whole downtowns. Boise, Idaho runs the largest municipally operated geothermal network in the U.S., sending ~177°F natural hot water through 20+ miles of pipes to heat over six million square feet of buildings; the system even melts snow on sidewalks.
Summary: after Coriolanus killed Lucy, a marriage of convenience was laid out in front of him.
Tags: forced marriage, young!coryo
Warnings: 18+, toxic!young!Coriolanus,
A/n: Tigris is younger than Coryo by 3 years and reader is her classmate. Might become a series idk
Rumors flew like a Mockingjay.
Free, passing through all the districts.
From the capitol to district 12. Through Panem.
Coriolanus Snow killed Lucy Gray Baird.
Coriolanus' growing hair has been unsteady from the buzz cut. But it never cost him to show up to the capitol looking almost perfect. His slightly tan skin, from the seam's sun, and pale hair were a mix that made him shine through the room.
"This is an outrage." the mayor from District 3 exclaimed.
"To kill inside the arena is one thing. To kill the victor outside is another." professor Highbottom chimed. He looked like he hadn't slept in days, his suit all wrinkly and so were his eyebrows. "we'll have to cover this with something else."
Tigris looked around the round table. Some familiar faces, some total strangers. All their voices are on top of one another. Their faces look so agonized as if it was their daughter who was killed by the criminal in the hearing.
Truth be told, his hearing would not have been held in the presidential palace if they didn’t like Coriolanus. If they didn’t want to put him in line for the presidency. Corio had that leadership aura radiate from him. And they all sensed it since they saw him for the first time. By giving Baird an unfair justice, they’re gaining themselves a favor from Snow.
They want a show from him. It has always been that way. From one president to another. The question is, how would they have their amusement?
Sitting within the inner circle of politics is new to her. It was never her thing, and Coriolanus never explained the system to her.
"we could-" she started, voice meek and small. "we could cover it with a wedding."
The voices came to a halt. All heads turned to her.
"continue," President Ravintsill urged, leaning his torso towards the table while his eyes are burning through her forehead. Seeming all interested to her.
She looked at you, trying to seek comfort before clearing her throat. "A little story to entertain never fails to gain enough attention. I mean, it is the game's purpose, after all. A love story would be heartwarming. An awe. scandalized to gain sympathy. Let them empathize with him." Tigris managed to utter confidence building word after word.
"Yes," Professor Highbottom stroked his beard, thinking. "It is possible. It may be someone from her district. to-- somehow explain why he is so close to that place. It can also set his ground for the upcoming election."
Casca looked at everyone's faces. Waiting for a suggestion or violent reaction. They were all thinking. Thinking of what this boy could do if he married someone in their district.
"My daughter." You felt your body freeze as your father's voice stormed through the silence. "She is unwed, close age, she has experienced living here in the Capitol, finished in the academy, and you may just elevate your status by marrying a mayor's daughter, snow."
you knew that you would not marry for love. not in this millenia. But never in a thousand years would you have thought that you would marry your best friend's fiendish cousin.
The president hummed as a response. "Recession. I need a moment with myself."
You did not wait for your father to stand before you fled the room. It was almost suffocating to see Coriolanus in front of you, looking almighty as if you were all not there because of an offense of his own doing. The air was almost breathless when you noticed how his chest rose up and down. Being in the same room was almost too much. Almost.
Imagining what he would be as a president was terrifying. Let alone as a husband. You didn't wish to hold that against him as he didn't have enough grasp of the idea. That was before you became the wife-to-be.
You always saw how cruel Coriolanus snow can be. From his childhood to his internship as a game maker. He took pleasure from another's tears. Especially when he was the one who caused it.
And declining the proposal by your father was never an option to begin with. You have been trained long before stepping foot in the academy. To be a service of your district. A token, as your father would say. An ammo to be fired when your district needs connection.
Tigris' voice called your name from the other side of your cubicle. "I know you're there. Please, let's talk." She sighed heavily when you didn't respond. "I'm sorry. I didn't know you would be an option."
"I'm scared, tig. You see him. He's not a man that a woman would wish for." You managed to speak, sobbing. "What if he hurt me? Our children?"
Tigris remained silent. Failing to gather enough words to comfort you because she knows who her cousin is. Above anyone else.
A few minutes went by and you wiped your tears. Opening the cubicle to Tigris sitting down on the countertop, swaying her feet. You almost felt guilty for holding her accountable for this when you saw her worried face looking down at the floor. Almost.
She looked up at the sound of the door hitting the wall. Her feline features gathered to send a warm smile. Her smile lit your mood. It never fails to do so.
"It's not like I get a say in this. So it's fine, I guess," you end up in her arms before you can finish your sentence.
"I'll be with you along the way. I promise."
Snow is falling. coating the capitol's cemented floors in white.
It was cold, wet, and dull.
Everything made it seem so scary to get out of bed. So you laid there, staring at the ceiling of your room in the president's mansion, waiting for your lady in waiting to wake you up. Thinking of how you would spend your next years in this arrangement.
The door opened forcefully, making you get out of bed on instinct. His hard gaze met your own, making you conscious and subconsciously making you cover your torso with your hands. Your lace night gown hugged your bony body, leaving your arms and thighs to his view.
"It is improper to greet your fiancé like this, Coriolanus," you lectured as you reach for your robe. You can feel his eyes on your back.
"Always the courteous." he replied, sitting down on your bed. His sarcasm punching you on the gut. "You have not been going out."
"Yes, well, I haven't really found a reason to go outside." you sighed after sitting down to a womb chair adjacent to his choice of seat.
The nervousness that seemed to tail you whenever he's around has caught up to you, weaving itself with your nerves. Your breathing is hitched as you watch him watch you. You both sat there in silence, examining each other's faces.
You, shielding yourself with your robe. And him, flaunting himself with his suit.
"Well, you have a duty. Given by your district, and your father." He broke the silence.
"What duty? To be a delight in your eyes or theirs?" With a heavy sigh, you closed your eyes and pursed your lips. Trying to contain your rage. "I am not an ornament to be displayed, my lord. I will marry you in due time so give me my remaining days to spend."
Coriolanus stared at you, expression unreadable. It gave you a chance to actually look at him and not challenge him to a staring battle. His hair has grown in the last 3 months, showing his waves more. His tan has also faded to his usual pale color, and his suit appears to be more expensive now than the previous.
The past months happened in a blur. After your engagement had been announced to the public with the sad tale with you as the maiden and Gray as the Villain, President Ravinstill got shot on a campaign for the academy, the voting was hastened for a month.
Pressured by the people of the capitol, Coriolanus flaunted you to the public, forcing you to move into the Presidential mansion. Though you were yet to be married, you went to his galas and parties. You hosted tea in the mansion with the other political wives, orchestrated by him, of course.
Coriolanus was charmed by you, his eyes sparkled whenever it set upon you, his smile reached his ears though not quite his eyes. All when the cameras are on you. Inside, you are a prisoner and him the judge.
"It's not like I'm forcing you to drown yourself, sweet pea." Coryo stood from his seat and walked to you, making you look up to him from your chair.
He smiles at you, sickeningly devious. "Go out of your room or not. You're still under my roof and you're not getting out of here anytime soon."
