#corio peacemaker

He walked his patrol like any other day as if nothing unusual had happened the day before. Even after it all unfolded, he remained confident. He knew a letter from the Capitol would come meaning he wouldn’t have to serve much longer. He has done his part, now they have to do theirs. As he patrolled, he paused, watching a young girl around his age talking to a market vendor. Nothing seemed off, except for her hand slipping down to take apples and stash them in her bag. She charmed the salesman with her gaze, pretending to listen to his rambling. Her movements were confident, as if she could do no wrong. How mistaken she was.

She smiled, ending the conversation and heading off in the opposite direction. He took a moment to study her. She wore a brown skirt layered alongside a short, tattered white dress, with a thin white cardigan on top. A green scarf held back her curls. He noted that her beauty could draw in any man, but that wasn’t why he’d paused. He was interested in her confidence as she stole in plain sight. Was she arrogant and reckless, or had she become so skilled she barely thought about it?

He glanced around and saw that no one else had noticed other than him. Spotting the green scarf in the crowd, he followed her. Once he got a hold of her he could bring her back to the market and let her endure the consequences of her actions. But it wouldn’t serve him in any way.

As he followed her through an alley, he noticed her walking faster after sensing his presence. He felt amusement but also annoyance for her. Did she really think she could escape him?

The moment she noticed him, it was almost by accident, a glimpse caught from the corner of her eye. She was weaving through the narrow, dimly lit streets, the weight of the day still clinging to her as she slipped between the sparse crowds.

“Wouldn’t want to be caught, would you?” His voice echoed through the alley once they were alone. It wasn’t a question, more of a statement that made her stop in her tracks. She looked back, pausing slightly at the sight of stark lines of his Peacekeeper's uniform, the blue fabric gleaming under the faint streetlights, contrasting sharply against the grit and grime of District 12. His piercing gaze held hers. What a shame. If she was in the Capitol, she could use her looks for far more than stealing. Such a waste of a pretty face he thought.

The jacket fit him with precise tailoring, each seam accentuating his tall, lean frame, giving him an imposing presence even in stillness. Its dark fabric clung to his shoulders, emphasizing his upright posture and adding to his air of controlled authority. His face was strikingly pale, almost ghostly in the dim light, making his features even more pronounced. His eyes, a piercing shade of blue, scanned his surroundings with a calm but relentless intensity, as if he missed nothing. The slight upward curve at the corners of his mouth hinted at a quiet confidence, even a trace of amusement, as if he enjoyed the silent power he held. His expression was unreadable cool, distant, yet utterly focused, leaving an impression that this was a man who expected to be obeyed without question.

“What are you going to do?” she asked, her voice uneasy as she realized the situation she found herself in. Alone in a dark alley with a peacemaker nonetheless.

“What am I going to do? Just decide how much trouble you’re worth.” His words sent a chill down her spine. Ignoring him, she tried to leave, only to halt again when his voice rang out.

“You don’t want to do that.”

Her heart pounded in her chest as she froze, the words hanging in the air. She didn’t dare turn around at first, but the subtle shift in the tension was impossible to ignore. The way Snow’s voice, calm and assured, sliced through the silence made her feel as if every movement was being watched, calculated.

She finally faced him, her breath shallow, eyes betraying the mixture of fear and defiance that churned within her. “What do you want from me?” Her voice barely rose above a whisper, the question escaping without her permission. She didn’t want to know, but she couldn’t stop herself from asking.

Snow took a slow step forward, his eyes narrowing slightly as he sized her up. There was a cold precision to his movements, as if everything he did had a purpose. He didn’t rush, he didn’t need to. He already had her where he wanted her, at least for now.

“What I want from you,” he began, his voice smooth, like a snake coiling around her. “A homecooked dinner would be nice once in a while”

The way he spoke those words made her stomach tighten. She could feel the weight of them, the danger lacing each syllable, as if they were an offer and a warning wrapped into one. It sounded too innocent for her to believe that it was the only intention he had with her.

Her mouth went dry. “And what do you offer in return?” She barely recognised her own voice, it was so laced with hesitation, but it was too late to take it back now.

Snow’s lips quirked into a smile, but it wasn’t kind, there was nothing warm about it. “What I offer in return,” he said, his gaze piercing, “is security. You won’t have to worry about having to steal again, and you’ll never have to fear being hungry again.”

The offer hung there, almost too good to be true, but her instincts screamed that it was a trap, one she was already caught in, whether she realised it or not.

She swallowed hard, trying to keep her composure. “And if I refuse?” she asked, her voice steadier than she felt, trying to act like she had a say in this.

He stepped closer, close enough that she could feel the heat radiating off him. His gaze never left hers. “What matters now is whether you’ll take this chance, or let it slip through your fingers. Refusing wouldn’t be a smart choice.”

Her heart raced, each beat a thunderous echo in her ears. The alley seemed to close in around her, the walls inching closer with every passing second. Snow's words hung in the air, a poisonous mist that threatened to suffocate her.

She tried to steady her breathing, to summon the confidence that had always been her shield. But it slipped away like sand through her fingers, leaving her exposed and vulnerable. Snow's presence loomed over her, a shadow that seemed to dim the very light around them.

"I don’t-" The words stumbled from her lips, foreign and clumsy. She hated how small her voice sounded, how it betrayed her uncertainty. The usual fire in her eyes flickered, threatened by the icy calm of Snow's gaze.

He took another step closer, and she instinctively stepped back, her heel catching on an uneven cobblestone. She stumbled slightly, her composure cracking further. Snow's smile widened almost imperceptibly, like a predator sensing weakness in its prey.

"Time's ticking," he murmured, his voice barely above a whisper but somehow filling the entire alley. "And with every second, your options... slim."

A chill ran down her spine, sharp and sudden like a blade of ice. She felt trapped, cornered not just by the physical walls of the alley but by the weight of Snow's words, the implications of his offer. The confidence that had carried her through countless thefts now seemed a distant memory, replaced by a gnawing fear that threatened to consume her.

Her options weren’t really great. If she said no she thought she would lose her life but saying yes felt like signing away her soul. Looking around she searched for something that might help her get out this goddam alley. The options weren’t great. Either try running away or try to take one of the pipes to protect herself. None of the options would end positive, she just knew.

The probability of her being fast enough to run away or to fight him off were almost nonexistent. His physique was far stronger than hers, his presence alone imposing as it filled the narrow space between them. Each step he took seemed to close the distance effortlessly. She could feel the weight of his gaze, unyielding and heavy, like a force she couldn’t escape. Her own body, feeling tense and fragile in comparison.

Her gut told her to get out somehow but she knew that wasn’t an option. All this just because she chose to steal some apples. Everything in her mind screamed that this wasn’t just about apples and some dinner. This felt more like a cat and mouse game.

The way he stared at her completely still, not moving his eyes away from her. The world went quiet for a moment as his piercing eyes seemed to hold her to the ground. Something was different about him than other men she met. Everything seemed violent about his presence but somehow he was so collected. There was no need to demand obedience, he expected it. And she hated that she’s given it to him already.

“What is the point in giving me a choice if I can’t choose?“ her voice was steady but also soft with a hint of suspicion. She didn’t want to give him the satisfaction of showing too much fear, but there was no mistaking the uncertainty in her eyes.

Snow paused, his eyes narrowing slightly as he studied her, almost amused by her attempt at control. His lips curled into a thin smile, and for a moment, there was a glimmer of something dark in his gaze.

He leaned in ever so slightly, closing the space between them with a subtle shift of his posture, making the moment feel even more intimate, as if he were confiding in her.

“It’s more an opportunity that I’m offering.“

Goosebumps arose on her skin as she felt his breath on the side of her face. It wasn’t just a opportunity. A fear arose in her chest, what would happen when she accepted? The silence stretched after his words but it didn’t seem to affect him at the slightest. Him not saying anything was just encouraging her to get this over with.

She held his gaze, her voice steady but carrying a hint of defiance. “You already know my answer.“

Her voice held a quiet determination that hinted she wasn’t as easily intimidated as he might have thought.

Snow tilted his head slightly, his expression sharpening as he absorbed her response. A shadow of a smirk played across his lips, a mixture of intrigue and amusement, as though her defiance had only deepened his interest. He studied her in silence, the intensity of his gaze making the air between them feel charged.

“Lead the way,” he murmured, each word deliberate, laced with a quiet authority that made it clear he wasn’t asking. “I’ll accompany you home.”

He gestured with a subtle wave of his hand, a show of politeness that was somehow more unsettling than reassuring. His eyes never left her as though he were both her escort and warden. His tone was low, controlled, making it clear that he would be by her side whether she wanted him there or not.

She looked at him, attempting a casual tone, though she knew it might fall flat under his piercing gaze.

„I have nothing at home to cook for you“ she said, hoping the simple statement would somehow deter him.

Snow raised an eyebrow, an amused smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth as though her words had only entertained him. “Oh, I wouldn’t worry about that,” he replied smoothly, his tone calm yet edged with something almost playful. “I’m sure I’ll find the visit worthwhile.” Her mind raced as she second guessed his words. What would happen when she was alone with him in an closed room. The alley was already too much for her but being with him alone under a roof? That would get even more intense.

She started walking, leading the way as he told her to. As she started leading the way he walked next to her adjusting to her pace. Matching her steps perfectly. This felt too normal. Walking around at night while the crickets chirped in the background. And it would’ve been if it wasn’t for him.

she took the three steps up to her front door as she struggled with the key‘s for a second, the darkness in the night wasn’t making it easier for her.His presence weighing on her as he stood behind her.

The key finally slid into the lock with a soft click. She hesitated for a moment before pushing the door open.Snow stood still behind her, his posture relaxed but undeniably attentive, as if waiting for her to make the next move. She pushed to door open and got in. While she turned around to him, he already had let himself in and brushed past her. She watched him and felt weird at the sight of him here. He seemed too big for her space. The uniform didn’t help with that.

“I didn’t invite you in,” she said, her voice quieter than she meant it to be.

A flicker of amusement crossed his features as he stepped closer, his shadow falling over her. Snow’s eyes moved slowly over her home, taking in every small detail, and finally settled back on her. “You live simply,” he observed, his voice carrying that familiar note of amusement. “It suits you.” He paused, his gaze sharpening. “Though I wonder how long you can keep it this way.” For a moment, she considered brushing it off, offering a sharp retort or forcing a casual laugh, but the weight of his gaze, his calm scrutiny, made her hesitate. His words were not just about her living conditions, they felt like a subtle threat, a reminder that whatever fragile peace she had built could crumble under the weight of his influence.

She felt a sudden tightness in her chest, his words striking like an uninvited invasion into the small space she had carved for herself. Her gaze briefly flickered around the room at the worn furniture, the cluttered counter, the untouched corners. His observation felt too intimate, as though he saw right through her carefully constructed life, exposing its fragility. There was no malice in his tone, but it didn’t matter. The implication was clear, and it sent a cold ripple of discomfort down her spine.

Snow’s gaze lingered for a moment longer on the surroundings before his eyes shifted back to her, his expression unreadable but piercing. “Do you live alone?” he asked, the question almost casual, yet there was something underlying in his tone that made it feel like a probe, as if he were gathering pieces to a puzzle only he could see.

The question hung in the air, and she felt a wave of discomfort wash over her. There was no reason for him to ask. It wasn’t the kind of detail that should matter. Yet, his presence here, his ever watchful eyes, made it feel like everything about her life was suddenly under his scrutiny.

She hesitated for a moment, her pulse quickening. “Why do you want to know?” she asked, her voice betraying the caution she tried to mask. Her fingers tightened around the doorframe as she shifted her weight slightly, instinctively wanting to create some space between them, but she knew it wouldn’t matter.

Snow’s lips curled into a small, almost imperceptible smile, his eyes never leaving hers. “Just curious,” he said softly, his voice smooth, but there was a chill to it that made her wonder whether he already knew more than he was letting on. “It’s always… telling, isn’t it?” His eyes drifted around the room again, and she couldn’t shake the feeling that he was reading her in ways she didn’t want him to.

Snow’s gaze remained steady as he spoke, his voice smooth and casual, but there was an underlying edge that made her stomach tighten. “I’ll pick you up at work tomorrow,” he said, as if it were a simple, everyday arrangement.

Her breath caught, and she instinctively took a half step back, her eyes narrowing as she processed his words. “How do you know where I work?” she asked, the question slipping out before she could stop it. Her tone was sharp, suspicion threading through her words, as she tried to keep the unease from showing in her voice.

Snow didn’t flinch as if her surprise was exactly what he’d been expecting. “I know more about you than you think,” he replied, his tone still that of casual amusement, but with something colder lurking beneath. “Information has a way of finding its way to me.” She felt a chill race up her spine, but she didn’t give in to the fear bubbling inside. Instead, she met his eyes, trying to hold her ground. “And if I don’t want you to pick me up?” she asked, her voice steadier than she felt.

He shrugged nonchalantly, the smile never fading. “It’s not a request,” he said, as if it were the most natural thing in the world. “I’ll be there, whether you want me to be or not.”

Snow’s gaze lingered on her for a moment longer, as though weighing her, as if deciding whether to say something more, but ultimately, he turned his attention to the door. He stepped back, the movement smooth and deliberate, like a predator leaving its prey but always keeping an eye on it.

“I’ll see you tomorrow,” he said, his voice low but certain, the words hanging between them like a promise or a threat. There was a finality to them, as though he were marking his place in her life whether she liked it or not.

He didn’t wait for a response, his figure retreating into the shadows of the street as he stepped out into the cool night air. His movements were measured, effortless, as though everything he did was part of a plan only he could see.

She watched him go, the silence settling in after the door closed behind him, and for a long moment, the weight of his presence lingered in the room, even though he was no longer there. The feeling of being watched, of being known, clung to her like a second skin.

The echo of his footsteps faded, but his words, his promises, stayed with her, haunting her long after he disappeared into the dark.

Even after Snow had left, she couldn’t shake the unsettling sensation that clung to the air, as if his presence had seeped into the very walls of her home. The quiet that followed felt thick and heavy, almost oppressive, as if the space itself had been altered by his visit.

She glanced around the room, her gaze drifting over the small, familiar things her worn couch, the half finished cup of tea on the counter. But nothing seemed the same now. His absence didn’t bring relief. It brought an eerie stillness, a reminder that he had been here, that he knew this space, even if only for a moment.

Before she went to bed, she checked the door three times, her fingers grazing over the lock, turning it back and forth to be sure. She pulled the curtains closed, then checked again, making certain there wasn't a sliver of space left for anyone to see in. The room fell into complete darkness, but she could still feel his presence lingering as though he hadn't really left. It was an eerie sensation, one that made her heart beat faster even as she lay beneath her covers, staring at the ceiling.

Every time she closed her eyes, his face flashed before her. That calm, calculating gaze that seemed to pierce straight through her, as though he knew things about her that even she didn't know. She tried to shake it off, to ignore the shiver of curiosity and dread twisting through her mind, but the questions began pressing down, unyielding and relentless.

How did he know her? She had seen him only once before today, barely long enough to catch a name, and yet he seemed to know things such as where she worked. The realisation made her stomach churn. Had he been watching her before tonight? Had she simply never noticed the shadow that lingered in the background, that invisible thread weaving itself into the corners of her life?

And what did he truly want from her?

His words played over and over in her mind, each one carrying a weight she couldn't quite decipher. His tone had been laced with something she couldn't name, something cold and almost intimate. He'd made her feel as though she were walking a fine line, one wrong move away from consequences she didn't want to imagine.

She shifted restlessly, pulling the blankets tighter, though they did nothing to keep out the feeling of exposure.