Chapter Text
Every day of school for Sejanus was pure torture. Not because of the classes, which most of the time were tolerable. He aced almost each one of them, especially french and spanish, though he wouldn’t call himself a nerd. Most of his classmates seemed to disagree with him on the matter.
And that was exactly the problem.
After over five years of bullying Sejanus had learnt how to endure all of the snickers and jokes the others threw at him daily. He had gotten much better at hiding the pain, though by now it was mostly annoyance. He had tried hard to make new friends when he moved to Capitol City, when he was eight, but nothing worked. He had been known by everyone as the “new kid”, and when he started getting the highest grades in his classes it just got worse. Festus Creed called him a nerd and Livia Cardew a suck-up who only wanted to look good in the professors’ eyes.
But among the general aura of sadness that surrounded him in school, the highlight of his days was chemistry class, because he shared it with Coriolanus Snow. Who also happened to be his “lab partner”, which he was always extremely grateful for.
Coriolanus had been homeschooled his whole life, his family being one of the richest of all Capitol City, and only during senior year he had started frequenting public school. No one knew why, but Sejanus certainly wasn't complaining.
Sejanus had developed his crush for Coriolanus probably since the moment he first laid eyes on him. Blonde curls, blue eyes… And his delicate facial features looked perfect. How could he not fall for him? And most importantly, he didn’t bully Sejanus. Never once had he participated in the mean pranks that got pulled on him, nor laughed along with the jokes. He didn’t do much to stop them either, but it still meant a lot to Sejanus.
He just wished he could grow the guts to talk to him more. Maybe they could at least become friends and spend some time together, other than in the school context.
He was currently closing his locker with the chemistry book in hand, after the short run to school to avoid being late again, when he felt someone grabbing his hair and slamming his head against the locker. He heard Festus laugh and ran away saying, “Look where you’re going, Plinth!”
Sejanus softly touched his head as he observed Festus disappearing behind a corner. “I wasn’t walking…”
“You need to learn how to stand up for yourself, Sejanus.” He heard someone say. He turned around and saw Coriolanus, standing right in front of him. “Festus is just an insecure kid who gets an ego boost every time he makes someone else feel inferior to him. You can't just let him treat you like that.”
Sejanus gulped and shrugged. “I don’t. I just think it’s useless to talk back, it would get me in more trouble than I already am.”
Coriolanus scoffed. “No offense, but that makes you sound like a coward.”
Sejanus was about to reply but Coriolanus didn’t give him the time to. “Anyway, we better get off to class. Last week Miss Click gave you a hard time because you were late, remember?” He said, starting to walk away with Sejanus following behind.
“I was just ten minutes late.” He tried to justify himself.
“Not my problem. I can’t really blame her either, it wasn’t the first time it happened. What is so important that keeps you busy enough to be late almost every morning?”
“And how do you know? Tuesday is the only day we share the first class of the day. Do you just like to observe me?” Sejanus asked, avoiding the question, smirking. Where on earth did that come from? He was lucky if Coriolanus ever spoke to him again during lecture again.
But he just seemed at a loss of words, unsure on what to say before he hinted at a small smile, almost impressed by the Sejanus’ response. “I observe everyone in this school,” Coriolanus said in a low tone, leaning in close to his face, “so don't feel special, Plinth.”
Sejanus felt himself go on fire at the other's words. He looked down trying to hide his blush, without even glancing at Coriolanus to see if he noticed. They arrived at the class, but Coriolanus blocked the door with his arm, stopping Sejanus from entering the room.
“Seriously though. You can tell me, I know how to keep a secret.” He asked again, winking, and if he didn't have a decent amount of self control Sejanus probably would have gotten a boner right on the spot.
Fortunately he did, so he simply shrugged. “I just live far from the school, so it takes me longer to get here. Guess four years aren't enough to get my morning schedule right.” Lie.
Sejanus lived ten minutes away from the school building, he didn't even have to take the bus to get there since he could easily walk. But his other duties, which he considered much more important businesses than to get to school in time, always had the priority.
Coriolanus didn't seem convinced but still nodded, licking his lips. “Uhm, fair enough.” He mumbled, before finally moving away and allowing Sejanus to get to class, entering right behind him.
The other thing that helped Sejanus survive high school and got him through the day was that he was Spider-Man. Sejanus had always found it sadly ironic, how his alter-ego was much more loved and appreciated than he had ever been. The boy assumed that by revealing his secret identity the bullying, all the jokes and mean words thrown his way would stop. If not for admiration and respect, out of fear. Though Sejanus didn't like the thought of being feared, not even by Festus.
Either way he would have never known for sure, because he couldn't tell anyone. Not even, and especially, his ma’. He had been Spider-Man for two years now - he had been bitten by the radioactive spider when he was sixteen - and his list of personal enemies had seriously increased ever since. Now it not only counted Festus and Livia, but also almost every thief in town and Slingshot’s organization (which was obviously associated with the smaller crime organizations- who also hated Spider-Man).
Telling someone his secret identity would have been like putting a red target on their back, and he couldn't have that. No matter how much it would have helped him.
They sat at their usual desk, first row right in front of the teacher, and Sejanus started taking out his notebooks out of the bag when someone, Felix Ravenstill, brusted in the room holding a newspaper in his hands. “Spider-Man did it again! He caught two criminals who worked for Slingshot, two blocks away from here, last night!”
Felix was known at school as the biggest Spider-Man fan. He technically had given himself said title, but he was the mayor's son which meant no one dared contradict him.
He slammed the newspaper right on Sejanus and Coriolanus' desk, which made Coryo frown in a mixture of disgust and disappointment. Sejanus on the other hand couldn't help but smile a little, filled with pride at the photo that pictured him in the act of jumping around with his webs. An old one, but one of his favorites.
Felix turned to look at Sejanus. “Did he visit you after that? Give you any details on the fight?” He asked excitedly.
Sejanus hadn't meant to lie about being friends with Spider-Man, really. But after someone at school had seen him - as Spider-Man - enter his house from his bedroom's window and publicly exposed him at school, he had to come up with an excuse. The friend one seemed the most obvious.
Not everyone believed him, especially Clemensia Dovecote, given he had no way of proving his friendship other than by knowing things about his encounters that no one else knew about. But most people bought the lie, and Felix was one of them.
Before Sejanus could answer Miss Click appeared behind Felix, clearing her throat. “Although I'm sure we all share your excitement over this news, mr. Raventstill, I'd like for you to take your seat before I send you to detention.” Felix looked down and muttered something under his breath, walking to his seat, leaving the newspaper in front of Sejanus and Coriolanus.
“You know Spider-Man?” Coriolanus asked, opening his book.
Sejanus nodded. “It was just pure luck, really. He was pretty messed up after a fight and I found him hiding in a hallway. I helped him out and we've been friends ever since.” A bit lame for a backstory, but that was all Sejanus had managed to come up with at the time. Fortunately he had gotten better with the lying part over the years. Coriolanus squinted his eyes and nodded, dropping the subject.
As Miss Click started her lecture, Sejanus noticed that Coriolanus’ eyes kept falling on the newspaper, clearly trying to read the article without being noticed. He hid his smile by biting on his pen. Was Coriolanus a fan of Spider-Man as well? If that was the case, that meant Coriolanus liked Sejanus. He didn’t know he was Sejanus, but he still liked him!
Once Miss Click finally dismissed class Coriolanus was one of the first to get out of the room, as usual, followed almost immediately after by Sejanus. Coriolanus always seemed in a rush to get to the next period as if being one minute late would have caused him to fail the whole school year. Which is why Sejanus wasn't expecting to bump into him right out of class, waiting for him.
“Festus is right, you do need to look where you're going.” Coriolanus chuckled, no mean intention behind his words.
“Sorry.”
“No need to apologize. I actually wanted to ask you if you'd like to have lunch with me later?”
Sejanus smiled trying to contain his excitement. “Uh, sure. Why not.”
“Cool. I'll meet you in the cafeteria, then?” Coriolanus asked and he nodded, watching as Coriolanus briefly smiled and walked away. Sejanus had to fight the urge to start jumping around punching the air and just walked off to his next class, acting natural.
***
Sejanus checked his watch again, nervously shaking his leg underneath the table. Him and Coriolanus hadn't set up a time to meet up, so technically he wasn't late. Yet Sejanus couldn’t help but let his anxiety win him over, starting to picture every possible scenario as to why Coriolanus wasn't in the cafeteria yet.
What if he got kidnapped? Surely that was a bit extreme, but he assumed that wasn't the worst case scenario because at least then it wouldn't have been voluntary, and Sejanus could still hope he didn't hate him. Why would Coriolanus hate him anyway?
God, I need a therapist. Sejanus thought, right before Coriolanus sat down in front of him tiredly leaving his lunch train on the table, making all his doubts and worries disappear. “Hi.” He greeted, offering him a smile.
Coriolanus looked slightly annoyed, but smiled back. “Hi. Sorry I'm late, got pulled back in class.” He said, and Sejanus shook his head.
“Don't worry, it's not like it's a date or anything!” It was meant to be a joke, but Sejanus' voice came out more high pitched than he intended and he could see Coriolanus’ smile was awkward and probably out of pity.
“Right.”
Sejanus cleared his throat, trying to think of something to say. “Ahem, do you-”
“So you know Spider-Man uh?” Coriolanus interrupted him. Sejanus bit the inside of his cheek, fighting a smile. The other boy looked down blushing, probably out of embarrassment of how quickly he had asked the question. He started playing with his food, acting nonchalantly. “Must be cool, having a famous friend.”
“I guess. It doesn't exactly stop the bullying, but it's nice to have someone to talk to.”
Coriolanus nodded, looking up at him. “Is he a nice guy? Under the mask.” He asked, taking a sip of his water.
“Kind of? I don't know his secret identity.”
Coriolanus raised an eyebrow tilting his head to the side, “How so?”
Sejanus shook his head. “Why would he tell me of all people?”
The other boy frowned. “Aren't you two best friends?”
“Telling me his secret identity would be dangerous for me. Imagine if one of his enemies found out I knew: what if they kidnapped me to get information out of me? If they got it, then Spider-Man would be done for. Don't you think?” Sejanus explained best he could, trying not to sound too annoyed- which, given Coriolanus’ upset and confused frown, he failed at.
After all the questions about Spider-Man and his secret identity Sejanus had gotten pretty good at lying over the years, but he still felt nervous most of the time. Especially now that he was talking to Coriolanus. And although filled with pride that he was a fan of his, Sejanus couldn’t help but feel hurt at the thought that Coriolanus seemed to not be interested in Sejanus himself. Just like everyone else.
They fell into an awkward silence, filled only by the sound of Coriolanus’ fork hitting the plate as he ate, Sejanus chewing his food and the chats and laughs of their classmates in the background.
“Sejanus,” Coriolanus called him, seemingly nervous, fidgeting with the fork, "I need to ask you something.”
Sejanus nodded, motioning for him to go on. “Would you come over after school? I've been failing all the chemistry assignments lately… And you're like a mini Einstein.” Coriolanus commented with a - rather adorable - laugh.
Sejanus’ cheeks grew red, eyes widening a bit. His first thought was that it was a lie: Coriolanus aced most of his classes, he was sure of it. It seemed weird that he had failed to notice the blonde’s academic issue in the one class they shared.
Either way Sejanus didn't know anything about Coriolanus’ private life, who was he to judge whatever problem he might have had? Besides, he was flattered he came to him of all people for help. Part of him felt bad for immediately assuming he just wanted to talk about Spider-Man, he probably was just trying to make small talk.
“I'd be honored to.” He said with a smile. Coriolanus smiled back, looking down.
“Great. I'll wait for you at the entrance after you’re done with your classes then?” He offered with a somewhat shy smile, which certainly surprised Sejanus. He nodded, smiling back at him.
The rest of the school day passed uneventfully for Sejanus, who for once was eager for it to end for a reason different from his usual superhero duties.
He told himself not to run down the stairs to reach the black limousine Coriolanus was leaning against, checking his watch waiting for him. When he spotted Sejanus he waved at him and opened the car's door for him. “After you.” He murmured, as Sejanus got in the car.
The drive to Coriolanus’ house was silent. Sejanus kept staring out of the window, nervously fidgeting with his fingers. He texted his ma’ that he was going to study at a friend’s house, avoiding specifying who. Sejanus knew his father would disapprove of him hanging out with Crassus’ Snow son, so it was better to keep it hidden for now.
After ten minutes they arrived at their destination and the driver opened the door for him before Sejanus could even touch the handle. Once out of the car he followed Coriolanus up the stairs to the entrance of the Snow Mansion in awe. It already looked huge from the window of Sejanus’ bedroom which - if not for the few blocks of distance in between - faced the house, and it was even bigger standing so close to it. It stood on a hill, as if to look upon all of the city from above.
Inside it was surprisingly pretty empty, lacking furniture which Sejanus assumed could be found in the room next to the entrance. From where he was standing, it looked like the living room. The floor and walls were tiled in white with black decorations, and a long marbled staircase led upstairs. Sejanus kept looking around, when Coriolanus cleared his throat.
“My room is upstairs.” He said, motioning to the stairs.
Sejanus nodded. “Shouldn’t we warn someone you're back? That I'm here?” But Coriolanus shook his head.
"My grandma’am is sleeping and my cousin always locks herself in her study to work on new designs. As for the maids, they won’t be bothering us, don't worry.”
Being bothered wasn’t the reason why Sejanus had suggested they announce their presence, if not at least to tell someone a stranger was in the house with Coriolanus, but not wanting to contradict him Sejanus simply nodded and followed him to his room.
Similar to the entrance, Coriolanus' bedroom didn’t have much furniture, but it was big nonetheless. He had a double sized bed right under the window, with a large desk resting on the wall in front of it where on top were Coriolanus’ notebooks. Sejanus’ eyes fell on the library next to it, with so many books to make Sejanus’ one look ridiculous in comparison. “You’ve read them all?” He asked, unable to stop himself.
Coriolanus was standing in front of the door with his hands folded behind his back, curiously observing Sejanus. “Most of them,” he finally said, “although some books are in latin. Not that I can’t read them- I’m just not really interested in those.”
“How come?” Sejanus wondered again, deciding to ignore that Coriolanus could apparently read Latin as if it was english.
Coriolanus frowned and moved to stand next to Sejanus. “They’re mostly about old myths. I’m not the biggest fan of fiction.”
Sejanus snorted. “I wouldn’t call myths fiction .”
Coriolanus turned to face Sejanus and squinted his eyes. “I can let you borrow one or two, if you’d like.” Sejanus’ eyes widened in surprise.
“Really?”
“Yeah.” Coriolanus chuckled. “But only if you help me get an A on the next chemistry test.” He added with a grin, slightly leaning in. Sejanus’ heart skipped a bit and his eyes fell for a second on Coriolanus’ lips, before being brought to his eyes again. He cleared his throat and stepped back.
“Let's get to work then.”
The afternoon passed quickly, Coriolanus was a fast learner and seemed to understand all the exercises Sejanus gave him to train. He was starting to doubt how much Coriolanus actually needed his help, but at least it was an excuse to spend time with him, so he surely didn’t mind it- even if it was a lie.
It was approximately six p.m. when someone entered the room. A girl, a very beautiful one, Sejanus thought, tall with blonde hair kept up in a ponytail. “Hey Coryo- oh! I didn’t know we had a guest.” She said upon noticing Sejanus sitting at Coriolanus’ desk. He turned to him with a questioning look, afraid he had done something wrong by being there, but Coriolanus rolled his eyes and spinned in his chair.
“Am I not allowed to have someone over?”
The girl shook her head, “No, no! It’s just the first time, that’s it. Hi! My name is Tigris. I’m Coryo’s cousin.” Tigris walked up to Sejanus and extended her hand, a wide smile on her face.
Sejanus shyly smiled back and shook her hand. “Hi. I’m Sejanus. Uhm, I’m here to help Coriolanus with his chemistry homeworks.” He clarified, afraid Coriolanus wouldn’t have been comfortable with being known as his friend, as much as the thought made him smile.
Tigris nodded, still looking excited, and then turned to her cousin once again. “Sorry for the interruption then. I just wanted to let you know dinner for grandma'am is ready in the kitchen, so please bring it up to her bedroom when she calls you. I'm going out and I won't be back before midnight, so I made something for you too.”
Coriolanus nodded, looking embarrassed, before gesturing for Tigris to leave the room. “Okay okay! I'm going. Bye, Sejanus!” She waved, before closing the door behind her.
Coriolanus sighed. “Sorry about that.”
“Don't apologize, she seems nice.” Sejanus smiled, deciding not to ask about his grandma's rather unique nickname, not wanting to sound rude or intrusive. Coriolanus stood up from his chair and walked to the desk, observing the books on it before closing them.
“I wanna show you something, follow me.” He stated and Sejanus, although reluctantly, did as told.
He wasn't sure why he felt so nervous about following Coriolanus around his house, other than for his massive crush. Sejanus considered his behavior to be extremely paradoxical: he was used to fighting dangerous criminals on a daily basis, risking his life almost every night, and yet hanging out with the boy he liked for one afternoon seemed like his toughest battle yet.
As Coriolanus led him to the inner garden they walked in the living room, passing by a big portrait hanging on top of the chimney. Sejanus stopped walking to stare at it, almost magnetized by it. It represented two parents and their child together, the mother holding the kid in her arms with a gentle smile on her features while sitting on an armchair, as the father stood tall behind them with a serious expression on his face. By the blonde hair and blue eyes of the kid, it didn't take much for Sejanus to realize it was a portrait of Coriolanus and his parents.
“Sejanus?” Coriolanus called, noticing he wasn't behind him anymore. “What are you… oh.” He seemed to frown upon noticing what Sejanus was staring at, folding his arms behind his back and standing next to him.
“These are your parents, right? Your mother was very beautiful.” Sejanus commented before he was able to stop himself, his eyes never leaving the painting. Everyone knew of Crassus and Alodia Snow because of the Snow Industries, but ever since Mr. Snow’s death barely any photos could be found, apparently a decision of Crassus’ mother. He kept staring at the painting, almost entranced. Alodia's face felt so familiar, as if he had already seen her a long time ago.
He felt Coriolanus shift next to him, clearing his throat.
“She was. I wish I could remember more of her, she died when I was ten. In a car accident, both her and my, uhm, baby sister.” Coriolanus explained, and Sejanus immediately felt a sting of guilt in his chest for having brought the subject up.
“I'm sorry.”
“Please don’t,” Coriolanus brushed it off, “that's in the past. Do you wanna see what I have to show you or what?” He asked, attempting a smile.
To get out of the awkward situation Sejanus smiled back and nodded, following Coriolanus outside giving the portrait one final glance. Soon enough they were outside, sitting on a wooden bench in front of a fountain. The sound of water dripping was calming and relaxing to Sejanus, who closed his eyes and enjoyed the silence.
“It's beautiful, isn't it?” Coriolanus commented, and Sejanus nodded, keeping his eyes closed. “I come here, sometimes, when I need to clear my mind. It can get lonely, it's a big house.”
“I'm sure.” Sejanus replied, knowing he couldn't possibly relate to it. His house wasn't small, but certainly not a mansion.
“I know we don't really know each other, but you're a good person, Sejanus.” Coriolanus murmured, smiling at him before looking up at the already dark sky.
Sejanus opened his eyes and blushed, offering a shy smile before turning his gaze towards the sky as well. He felt something brush his hand, making him jerk away out of instinct. He moved to look at Coriolanus, who was still staring ahead of him but with a faint blush on his cheeks. Sejanus’ eyes fell on his hands, so dangerously close to Coriolanus’. Had he attempted to join their hands? No, impossible. It must have been a leaf, and the blush on Coriolanus’ cheeks was just a trick of the darkness.
A shiver ran down Sejanus’ spine, the air starting to get colder. Coriolanus noticed and stood up, offering to go back inside. For as short and, Sejanus admitted, odd as it was, their moment outside felt intimate and familiar, as if Coriolanus had wanted to share a piece of himself to Sejanus, in his own way. Sejanus wasn't sure why he had chosen to do so now, after so many weeks of sharing the same class, but he surely wasn't going to complain about it.
Coriolanus walked Sejanus to the entrance. “You sure you don't want to stay for dinner?” He asked him, the feeling of familiarity back in Sejanus’ heart. Still, he shook his head no. His Ma’ hated not having him for dinner on such short notice.
“Yeah, I better get home.”
“Tell my driver your address, he'll take you home. Oh and, thanks for today. It was nice hanging with a… friend .” Coriolanus pronounced the word as if he was scared of it, which made Sejanus appreciate the gesture even more.
“Hey, what do you say you come by tomorrow as well? Same time, to help me out.” Coriolanus asked him right as he climbed in the car.
Sejanus thought about it - or at least pretended to, not to look desperate - and accepted. “I'll see you tomorrow then?” Coriolanus nodded and smiled, closing the door for Sejanus. As the car started to leave the property Sejanus leaned in his seat with a wide smile on his face: he had something to look forward to the day after, and for once it didn't involve him needing to wear a mask to hide himself.