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especiallythewomenandthechildren · 2 months ago

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As If Destiny (part sixteen)🌹

Part 15🌹

A/N: well hello lovely! your friendly neighborhood force of chaos has crawled out of her hole to provide whatever this is. have a wonderful day! (yall pls don't kill me for taking forever college apps killed me) lemme know your thoughts!

This was meant to be pure fluff but I dont think I'm capable of that

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This should have been the part where you woke up. Everything was too perfect.

You were consumed by love (and Cory's lips). Reality was beyond your deepest desires. Everything you had desperately needed was right beneath your clasped hands as you refused to part ways with the boy you love.

You were so lost in your love-fueled haze that you were completely unaware of the world around you. Coriolanus would say he felt the same way, except for the constant ringing of a familiar voice.

"Purple. She is turning purple."

He grabbed your jaw a slight bit harsher, pulling you in for an even deeper angle to drown out the commentary.

"I'm saying 20 seconds till she gets asphyxia."

Hands parted your strands of hair as Coryo couldn't decide on a location. He traced you, as all he wanted was to be consumed by you entirely.

"Probably could hide the body in 5 minutes. He's very crafty, you know."

Coriolanus let go of you so suddenly that you stumbled forward. He ensured you were stable by wrapping an arm around your waist as he faced the ever-ominous smirk of Arachne.

"Would you mind?"

With the fakest gasp of offense, Arachne put a hand to her heart.

"Me? I'm simply trying to enjoy the woods when I see a poor girl's tongue being inhaled!"

Your eyes squinted as you let out a confused scoff.

"You were watching?!"

"I'm still confused about how you survived the arena with your lack of awareness."

"Hey!"

Much to your satisfaction, you now had a defense against Arachne's light-hearted taunts. Coriolanus was sharper in his warning, along with the added tightness of his grip on you. Sejanus was more frank and understandably sensitive about the topic. You all were. Even the taunting Arachne.

You had been so astounded by Coryo that you completely overlooked the boy you considered a brother.

"Sej!"

Somehow freeing yourself from Coryo’s grip, you ran straight into the brunette's arms and latched onto him like a monkey. He stumbled back a little, but the extra muscle he had put on during Peacekeeper training kept you both up.

"I've missed you so much."

Your voice was wobbly as you processed that everything around you was real. You snuggled into his neck, embracing the comfort of his simple presence.

Sejanus asked the question plaguing his mind with a hushed voice, so fragile in its volume, fearing it might shatter the peace of the moment.

"You don't hate me?"

Tears of joy turned into heartbreak. Slowly backing away, you made sure Sejanus was looking at you.

"Hate you?"

It was his turn for tears, though sobbing would be a more accurate description. Trembles journeyed through Sejanus’s fitter body as all the awful memories of that night replayed endlessly.

"I caused you so much pain. I hurt you so much. It was all my fault!"

His deep brown eyes became an ocean of self-loathing. You looked so alive, and it could have all been taken away due to his recklessness. Fragments of your heart were being pounded to shreds by the guilt weighing on Sejanus’s shoulders. You had seen him feel guilty for his privilege before, but this was different. This was festering devastation.

“Sejanus, look at me.”

It took all his respect for you to gather the strength to meet your sympathetic eyes—sympathy he knew he didn’t deserve.

“Did you learn your lesson?” You gave a teasing smile and a light laugh as he huffed in confirmation. “You have such a kind heart. It’s a light in our dark world. Just don’t let it blind you, m’kay?”

He flashed you a smile as you gave him yet another hug. Life for you had been a never-ending cascade of chaos and heartbreak, and you had missed these simple moments with Sejanus. Moments from a time before you dug up past and fresh graves. Although, going back that far would mean leaving behind the now most important person in your life, who reminded you of his presence as he came up behind you.

Coryo wrapped his arm around you again the second you pulled away from Sejanus.

“Okay, your time slot is over. It’s my turn.”

“Once again.” A very smooth cover-up was attempted by Arachne, as a small coughing fit naturally followed as Coryo’s vibrant baby blues rolled at her antics. You looked up at Coryo and finally took in his appearance. His buzzed hair brought out his electric eye shade even more, and his tall frame had filled out with good meals and training. His look had you utterly speechless as you ran your fingers over the now buzzed-off section where his curls used to be. Your silent response to his new appearance made a foreign snake of insecurity slither its way into his mind.

“That bad?” Coryo’s voice was quiet enough for only you to hear, leaving your two friends straining to listen. Your eyes shot up to the ones you thought about every night and morning. You searched for the joke, but he was serious. And so were you when you slapped his arm.

“Have you grown blind? I loved your curls, but that doesn’t mean I don’t really like this too.”

Coryo’s smirk intensified as you continued, especially when your hands reached the nape of his neck. With the look in his eyes, even in the midnight darkness, Arachne and Sejanus felt like they were about to see something they did not want to see.

“I think if we stay five minutes longer, we’ll finally know if Coryo’s carpet matches the drapes.”

Your Coryo-filled trance was effectively broken by Sejanus’s (surprising) comment as mortification painted your cheeks rouge. The ever-proper Coriolanus, however, had no real care as he just leveled his friend with a flat look. On the other hand, the snickers and cackles between Sejanus and Arachne were abundant. Almost as if they were friends. A disgusting enough concept to both of them as Sejanus’s prior comment.

“You do know the both of you are acting like friends, right?”

Dawning smug smiles, you and Coriolanus watched as the other two argued and shouted against any possibility—no, institution—of friendship. The show was oh so entertaining and would have likely lasted until sunrise, but you had to cut it short. With the fight back at the Hob, all Capital personnel, of which you all were, needed to be inside the barracks unless yearning for punishment. Coriolanus knew you were right but didn’t want to let go of you, even if just for a few hours. Arm clutching to his, you laid your head upon his shoulder as the branches crunched beneath your synchronous feet. The large campus of the barracks came into view as your grip tightened in yearning.

“Dawn?”

Coriolanus sent an all-too-consuming smirk.

“Dawn.”

His smirk grew immensely, but you never saw it; you felt it on your lips as he gave a sweet kiss that was supposed to be short. Although, you didn’t part, and Coryo couldn’t bring himself to either. Once again, it felt like a dream overtook your reality. And yet again, that rosy view was interrupted by an impatient Arachne.

“Innocent bystanders present.”

Coriolanus didn’t miss a beat as his lips traveled downward to your neck, and the teasing smirk spread impossibly further.

“Find your own woods.”

Your laugh was airy from the ticklish feeling of Cory's lips as you (unfortunately) had to push him away. As much as you yearned to stay, you needed to get inside urgently. Not risking any further stalling, you gave a peck to Cory's cheek and whispered about dawn once more while running to your side of the large campus with Arachne in tow.

The blonde stood there with a shining grin when Sejanus’s strong hand clapped him on the back. “Maybe Twelve isn’t too bad.”

Even out of sight, Coriolanus was enamored with your lingering presence.

“No. Not too bad at all.”

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Arachne and Sejanus were able to sleep soundly, even while knowing their respective bunkmates wouldn’t be there when they woke up. Instead, you and Coriolanus would finally get a rare moment of peace.

You hadn’t gotten a second of sleep, your eyes blurring with concentration as you watched the horizon. As soon as the deep midnight sky began to lighten the slightest shade, you were already out the door. The hallways you usually trudged through echoed with the sound of your near-running steps. The district air had never felt so good against your skin. The birds had never sounded so inviting. Coriolanus Snow had never been more perfect.

Of course, Mr. Perfect had already been waiting for you. Like you, he’d spent the few hours between your meetings cursing the slowness of the night. Now you were begging for time to pause, just for you and Coryo. As soon as you saw him leaning against a flourishing, expansive tree, you ran straight into his arms—arms that picked you up and spun you around as your glee harmonized with the birds chirping above.

He set you down and stared at your radiant face. It had been too long since he’d seen it outside of his dreams. Coryo cupped your face and lovingly traced your cheekbones.

“You are far too beautiful for the districts.”

You scoffed gently and bashfully looked away. Would there ever be a time when he wouldn’t make you so flustered? He gently tilted your chin to lock eyes with his ever-magnetic gaze.

“I’m being serious.”

“Oh, I know, pretty boy.”

The nickname caused just enough pause for you to smoothly escape his grasp. Walking ahead, you looked back with a gleam of mischief in your eyes. Coriolanus had had so many daydreams of you and those eyes that it was hard to remember if everything around him was real. Then again, it didn’t really matter. Coriolanus would always follow you.

He jogged lightly to catch up to your flowing stride. “Trying to get rid of me already?” Coryo teased as his arm settled comfortably across your shoulders.

You started to worry about your cardiovascular health with the number of flips your heart was doing. However, that effortless rhythm of you and Coriolanus felt as natural as breathing.

“Oh please, I’ve been trying to get close to you since I was eleven.”

His shiny white teeth outshone the little rays of sunlight starting to break through the winding branches.

“So, you admit you’ve been obsessed with me.”

“Good to know you managed to pack your ego with you.”

“You’ve been hanging out with Arachne too much, you know that?”

“Well, maybe don’t leave me alone.”

“Oh, I’m not planning on it.”

A sweet smile was mirrored on both your faces. After weeks of tension and tragedy, the sereness of this moment was not lost on you. As much as you missed bantering with Coryo, you missed his simple presence more. No words needed to be said as his presence lifted the weight of the world from your crumbling shoulders.

The two of you walked aimlessly, but within minutes, you realized where your feet had led you. Serenity bled into unease. Coryo felt your muscles tense beneath his arm and noticed your nervous tick. Usually, the ring of Snow brought you comfort, yet this time it was the golden ring of Embridge, twirling between your fingers. Coriolanus, ever observant, immediately picked up on your tension and squeezed your shoulder in silent, effective communication. In response, you nestled closer to him as the gravity of reality pulled you further from the bliss you so seldom got to embrace.

“Do you know why we’re in Twelve?”

“A bastard.” You lifted your head at the uncharacteristically crass language Coriolanus used. He stared straight ahead, jaw clenched. Gently, you ran your fingertips along his chiseled jaw, making his teeth unclench and his face soften. Reality was bound to come out soon enough, so you might as well swallow the heavy truth and spit it out for Coryo.

“Well, yes, he does have a hand in this. But there’s a reason he chose this district specifically.”

The branches around you shifted into twisted, sinister shapes, providing no comfort. That strange shiver, which was becoming too familiar, slithered through your bones. In record time, Coriolanus put his light Peacekeeper jacket over your shoulders. The air of domesticity was once again shattered by the shadows of the mocking trees.

Coryo waited patiently for you to continue, but it took you a moment to steady your churning stomach. The blonde used the silence to gently prod you forward.

“I assume it’s his usual spite and dramatics.” You might have laughed lightly at his jab, but all you could do was swallow your unease as the macabre symbol of retaliation loomed ahead. Outstretched branches, as if reaching for their newest victim, lacked leaves and were scorched in the outline of a man. The tree was clearly meant to send shivers down spines—not just yours. The scratches from its past victims were still deeply engraved into its trunk.

Coryo’s sapphire eyes froze in horror at the grotesque message for the Capitol. You swallowed the bile rising in your throat and accepted the unacceptable truth.

“My uncle is alive, Coryo.”

In an instant, his blue eyes snapped to your face, his fingers cold as they tilted your chin for eye contact and answers.

“Highbottom left a cryptic letter in my file. I—I followed the clues, and somehow, I found him! He isn’t the same man; he’s on some kind of hallucinogenic substance and—”

Coriolanus’s chest muffled your panicked ramble. Melting in his arms, the two of you stood together as the morning colors—orange, pink, and purple—painted the sky. Soon, the world you both had to return to would be waking up, but it could wait. Now was the time to finally let your beloved Coryo help you, as only he could.

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Blackouts. An experience that was dreadful, malicious, and all too common for Alreic Vaun. Or rather, it had been, though in the past few years, they’d become less frequent. Those wretched names from the past stopped seeping into his mind. No more visions. No more reliance on the sultry purple poison. He’d begun to know Otto—Kane—as more than just the kid who’d pulled his unconscious body from the streams. And even that little girl, whose name and face were often blurred beyond recognition. Little Rowan. His Rowan.

He’d gone six straight months without a single blackout, hallucination, or injection. Alreic was even considering getting a job in the mines to help support the small family that had inexplicably appeared under his roof. The young man, eerily reminiscent of his late nephew, didn’t deserve the life he’d endured. Nor did the little girl, whose rambunctiousness reminded him of his sweet, clever niece, Y/N.

For six blissful months, he’d felt a fragile sense of optimism—until it shattered. Lucy Gray Baird and Jessup Diggs were to be District Twelve’s tributes. Lambs to the slaughter. Jessup and Lucy Gray weren’t just innocent children; they were children who had spent time in his shambles of a cabin, who’d helped him up and taught him new recipes. Lucy Gray, with her sweet songs swirling around the living room, and Rowan’s laughter echoing in the clearing at Jessup’s antics. They were Kane’s closest friends and Rowan’s role models ; people he could rely on to be there for the children he’d taken in, even when he couldn’t.

As much as Alreic’s veins yearned painfully for the sweet relief of the mauve substance’s sting, he couldn’t indulge. Six months of sobriety could never make up for years of abandonment and hallucinations, but maybe staying clean could. Kane and Rowan needed him. It’s what his sisters would have wanted. For the first time in years, Alreic’s thoughts of family were not immediately drowned out by the electrifying lure of inebriation. Sober and somber, he resolved to bear the pain of loss and be a stable pillar of support. To be the man he once was, even if it was a decade too late.

Alreic should have known that fate was never kind to him.

Two days after the Reaping, a black envelope with green lettering arrived, addressed to him. Fine, smooth, elegant handwriting. The old routine was set to return. With every silken envelope came a bulging cylinder hidden inside. He didn’t need to know the sender; it was clear this was a Capitol message.

After the day of your sudden appearance in the cabin, Kane had gone out with his bow to find dinner and to burn off his fuming rage. Rowan stayed close to Maude Ivory’s side, the two clinging together in shared fear. Alreic hurried to his shabby excuse of a bedroom and tore the envelope open. He should have waited, taken a moment to think about what it might contain. It’s what the old him would have done. But no matter how hard he tried, he wasn’t that man anymore. The evidence lay in the alluring purple bubbles gliding across the syringe’s liquid. Alreic had been clean for six months, five days, and four hours. Had been.

Instantly, the cold surface of the glass syringe settled perfectly in his cracked fingers. His veins stood out, ready. It had taken him ten years to reach six months of recovery. Months of resisting the enticing green words of persuasion and guilt. And yet all his progress was now darkened by the familiar amethyst that flowed through his veins and those infamous Enbridge eyes.

Slipping away into the endless void of guilt, he left the letter unread.

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Bright sunlight lit up the lush greenery of the Capitol barracks. Several Peacekeepers were out jogging and working out in the wide clearing at the center of the campus. Familiar researchers made their way past you and Coryo as they began their work early. Luckily, both of you had already gotten ready before your early morning escapade, so all that was left to do was to make sure all traces of your tears were gone.

“Are you completely sure?”

For the hundredth time in the past hour, Coryo assured you that your tear streaks and hives had disappeared. He usually added a compliment to sweeten the deal, yet you kept rubbing the skin under your eyes.

“If you keep rubbing, that’s what’s going to make you look like you cried.”

You huffed at his rationality, filling your breakfast tray with items that looked semi-edible. The cafeteria was lively but not cramped, with an atmosphere of ease—a stark contrast to the rigid cafeteria of the Capitol academy. Arachne and Sejanus were already seated at a small table in the back left corner by some white windows. Sitting down, you should have felt the strangeness of the situation. You and Arachne sat across from each other, Coriolanus to your right and Sejanus to Arachne’s. The academy’s top students and future leaders, all here in poverty-stricken District Twelve. And yet, it all felt like it fit.

“I assume you told him?” Arachne asked. You nodded confidently. She returned the nod, confirming she had done the same with Sejanus. Now you were all up to speed on the chaos that had further invaded your lives.

Sejanus offered his condolences, which you accepted with a grateful smile—grateful for friends who didn’t press for more details. The conversation drifted to each of your new positions. You and Arachne filled in the boys on your explorations in the woods, earning laughs and playful comments from Sejanus at the image of Arachne handling the birds. He was promptly met with a smack from the back of a metal spoon. The two boys were to take on various roles, from guards to execution assistants to aides for the researchers. You were enjoying the friendly bickering between Sejanus and Arachne when a voice cut through.

“Hey, Y/N! Just wanted to make sure you were okay after last night?”

The boyish smile of Cassian was sweet—but Arachne and Coriolanus found it utterly disgusting. Meanwhile, Sejanus tried to pinpoint why he felt a strange familiarity.

“She’s just peachy, but my toes aren’t. Learn how to dance, Slate.”

Cassian was clearly holding back his irritation at the redhead but kept his smile steady. “Well, I wasn’t exactly prepared to go dancing.”

He should have known better than to try arguing with Arachne. “No? I swear I remember you asking Y/N for a dance.”

Your cheeks flushed as Cassian looked to you for help, then glanced at Coryo in surprise. Though Coryo knew you well enough to understand that this infatuation was entirely one-sided, on the part of this, in his eyes, rather pathetic fool. Meanwhile, Sejanus was still in his own world, trying to figure out why this random Peacekeeper felt so familiar.

“You don’t like me, yet you still asked me for a dance?” the hazel-eyed boy grumbled at Arachne’s triumphant smirk. She took a sip of her water, letting the air settle in her favor.

“What can I say? I like stepping on people’s toes.” Coryo really thought this guy would have taken the hint by now. For once, Coryo was wrong. Cassian crouched down to meet your eyes, getting far too close for Coriolanus’s comfort.

In a whisper, Cassian finally asked the question he’d come to ask in the first place. “Hey, Y/N, later this afternoon, some Peacekeepers are supposed to check up on the researchers’ progress with catching those weird hybrid birds. I volunteered and was hoping I could check in with you?”

With every word he spoke, Arachne swore he got closer to you. Instinctively, you turned to Coryo. You still didn’t quite understand Arachne’s rudeness toward the sweet guy, but something about this proposal felt off. Coryo hadn’t mentioned anything about it, and you were sure he would have if he’d been assigned. Maybe he hadn’t, due to your emotional state during your confession this morning? Everyone was waiting for your answer when a Peacekeeper administrator’s voice called out, saving you from responding. You locked eyes with Arachne, and she was quick to take action.

“Looks like your master is calling, so you’d better go keep order or whatever it is you do.”

“Peace. We keep the peace. It’s in the name.”

Of course, the thing that brought Sejanus out of his trance was an opportunity to jab at Arachne. She took your tray, tossed it, and grabbed your wrist, pulling you away. Cassian tried to call out for an answer, but Arachne left no room for discussion. You glanced back, avoiding Cassian’s questioning gaze and meeting Coriolanus’s instead. A sweet smile passed between you two, and you were off in the wind.

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Your tasks were still the same: capture as many mockingjays as possible and send them back for examination. You and Arachne had made good progress scouring the woods, but the inevitable section you dreaded was getting closer and closer. Ara offered to go ahead and get closer to your uncle's cabin. Just the thought of it all made you spiral downward. The chills that had been building up shook through your bones. It was a beautiful day, maybe even a bit too hot, yet you felt a bitter cold in your extremities. Without fail, you experienced numbing cold, piercing migraines, or blurry eyesight every day since you left the Capitol. You doubted it was homesickness, even if you missed the bustling city. The woods and fresh air of District Twelve were refreshing—a change you weren’t sure you wanted to let go of.

Strolling along and tracing the wooden engravings on the trees, your ears perked up at a soft tune. A melodious hum peacefully floated through the air, guiding you to the location of the beautiful, raven-colored mockingjay. Such a sight it was. The heavenly sounds of the bird, eerily resembling Lucy Gray's own hums, echoed off four gravestones. The mockingjay itself was perched on what seemed to be the newest of the graves. The three on the left looked older, more rushed, and crumbling. However, they had little yellow flowers beneath them. On the farthest right, and closest to you, a newer and sturdier gravestone stood proudly—a fitting tribute to the man it honored.

Jessup Diggs. Friend, Son, Brother, and Hope.

Maybe it was the odd blistering sensations crawling through your body or the sheer exhaustion of the past few weeks. It could have just been the guilt of survival and murder, but you collapsed to your knees. You were shivering and felt nauseous, yet no tears broke through your lacrimals. Shaking hands traced the fresh pink carnations in front of the stone. You reached up to feel the engraving of the letter J when your trance was shattered.

"So she was right."

Behind you stood a black-eyed, bruised Kane. His dark curls were a mess, and his smile was tired. No judgment hid behind his bruised eyes. A small bouquet of curved purple flowers was clutched in his bandaged hands. There were no words you felt you could say, so you just moved slightly to give him room. A genuine smile crept across his solemn face as he sat down. The mockingjay was still singing its tune.

"You were his—uhm, what were you called again?"

"Mentor." A quiet confession, barely a whisper. Kane began arranging the purple flowers, ones you had never seen before, with the pink carnations. In his back pocket, you noticed a few other puffy orange flowers, which he also mixed in.

"Mentor. Lucy Gray said that she and Jessup had the best two."

His dark eyes remained fixed on the flowers while you turned to study his features. He didn’t directly resemble your brother, but something in the way his shoulders bore the weight of the world and the softness of his voice reminded you of Otto. Perhaps it wasn’t too hard to imagine your uncle seeing one as the other.

"Do you know how he died?" You feared you might have struck a nerve with the question, as Kane took a shaky breath. His eyes traveled northward to the engraving in Jessup’s memory.

"Bat bite. He got it by protecting Lucy Gray."

"He definitely died defiantly. On his own terms."

Kane looked at you then. You looked at him. Really, he did resemble Otto. His eyes scrunched to bite back tears, but a shaky smile exposed his teeth. He gently shook his dark curls. "Never could give up his fight."

An atmosphere of sweet contentment swept in. The mockingjay continued its melody, transitioning from its original hum to something more dramatic than the earlier light tune. Your eyes lingered on the other gravestones. Jessup’s father, mother, and brother—all reunited once more. A detail that struck you was that the other three gravestones had "Martyr" engraved, while Jessup’s was empty of that deserved moniker.

"He was a martyr too. He died opposing his oppressors, even if not physically."

You kept your sore eyes on the bright array of flowers—purple, pink, and orange, like a calming yet vibrant sunset. A violent shiver ran through you, and despite your best efforts to conceal it, Kane noticed.

"Do you know about his family?" There was a hint of apprehension in his voice. You understood why. Your suspicions about your brother’s role had been running in your mind. Another high, grieving note was pitched by the mockingjay.

Nodding in confirmation, you gently grasped one of the billowy orange flowers. It had at least seven layers, each shade darker than the last, top to bottom, creating an ombre spectacle. "He said their killer had the same eyes as mine. Around the same age as you. His orders were filled with regret. I know it was Otto."

Kane was surprised by just how much Jessup had told you. Maybe Jessup had simply stopped caring in his final days? Perhaps he was trying to unnerve you? Then again, why would you be so sympathetic and grieving? Lucy Gray’s descriptions of her time in the Capitol and its people flooded back to him. Jessup’s mentor. “The girl is full of surprises.” Kane examined the scars on your neck. She just jumped in front of the bottle. “That nasty girl was making jabs at someone with your same name, and yet, she still took the hit!”

His dark eyes caught sight of the dull ring hanging around your neck. From your sudden collapse, your necklace had been thrust forward, out of your shirt and into the forest air. The symbol of House Embridge stood proud, just as it had around Alreic’s ring and on all of Alreic’s fanatical drawings and engravings.

"Did he ever hate you for having the same name? Did he know?"

"Eventually he knew, but he never judged. He understood what happened. I didn’t move in with Al until I was 13, but Jessup and I had been friends since we could walk. We met running through the woods, addicted to the thrill of sprinting past the trees. It was just me and my mom until I was 11, when she had Rowan with a different father than mine," he took a breath. The young man never needed to explicitly say Alreic was the father—you knew. The Embridge eyes never lie. "I loved Jessup’s family, especially his brother and dad. My mother did everything for me, and I loved her, but it was different having a father figure. Someone to teach you how to shoot arrows and survive off the land. My mom was a barmaid; she didn’t know how to do any of that. But then… Well, you know what happened to his family. It wasn’t much later that my mom—my mom was murdered too."

His voice cracked at the end. The rawness of death swirled in your consciousness as you handed the flower in your hand to Kane. Even as one sole tear escaped down his stubbled cheek, he smiled faintly at your gesture.

"I was there for him, and he for me. He had nowhere else to go but the cabin where his family died. It would have been a shame to abandon their legacy. I couldn’t stand being in the shack I was born in. I knew nothing of my father, just that he was lost to the wind like a lot of kids here. But at least I knew where to find Rowan’s. He was barely conscious most of the time, but he let us stay, or at least wasn’t aware enough to kick us out. The good thing was we weren’t far from Jessup. He helped me raise Rowan. A few years later, Covey joined the mix. Life didn’t look so bleak anymore. Even Al started sobering up and stepping up. I survived the Hunger Games reaping. It was Jessup’s last year and only a few more for Lucy Gray. My biggest worry was Maude Ivory or Rowan, as it was their first year. Never did I think that two of my family would be taken."

In the few minutes it took for him to finish his story, it seemed he had aged a decade. Even with Lucy Gray coming back, he had lost his family. No unit stays the same when one pillar crumbles. You wished to comfort him, but you didn’t know how. You felt like the embodiment of everything that had caused him pain. A wailing tune from the bird continued to cement itself in the atmosphere between you two.

"I am so sorry." It wasn’t an empty apology, but it felt useless to you, though to Kane, it was a welcomed, foreign phrase. From all he’d heard from Lucy Gray, he knew you weren’t the average Capitol citizen. And from Alreic, he knew your family—and by extension, you—were important. He still needed to know exactly why someone of your status ended up in the backwoods of Twelve, but he appreciated your efforts nonetheless.

Arachne was likely on her way back to the barracks to finish off her tasks for the day, and you should have been doing the same. But you had no desire to move. You enjoyed Kane’s presence, the comfort long missing from your life. Sunlight streamed through the trees and shone down on the flowers that had captivated you.

"Is there a specific reason for the flowers chosen?"

The change in conversation lightened Kane’s mood as he grabbed a stem of each one. You only recognized the pink carnation; the others were unfamiliar.

“The pink carnation,” he held it out for you as he explained, “That’s from Lucy Gray. It symbolizes a vow to never forget the person it’s gifted to.” You spun the flower between your fingers before lightly setting it back with the rest of its sisters. They weren’t your flowers, but you silently committed to the same vow the flowers implied.

“Next are the sweet peas. A symbol of goodbye and thank you for the times together. These are mine.” Purple and delicate, the flowers entranced you. An impactful message in such a fragile flower. Finally, there was the large puff of an orange flower.

“From Rowan. The Zinnia. A declaration of everlasting affection for lost friends.” Layers of petals created a sentiment of deepening love. All together, Jessup’s memory came alive. An unforgettable soul. Your hands now felt empty as you had no flowers of your own to give.

“Next time, I will bring something. Though, I am not sure if I am too good with flower meanings.”

Kane got up and offered you his dirt-stained hand, which you gently took. You dusted off your dark blue pants while the young man stood patiently. At your sudden movement, the stoic mockingjay broke through the air and into the deep woods. “I am sure Maude Ivory and Rowan will be more than happy to introduce you. They have them all written down somewhere.”

You started walking back toward the barracks and town without even considering where Kane might have to go, but he just followed along amicably. You smiled at his authenticity and willingness to trust his little sister with you.

“I am surprised you know so little about flowers. I assumed Capital kids get taught all the silly stuff like that.”

Shaking your head gently, you giggled a little at his admission. Maybe some of your peers knew a few floral meanings, but most were just concerned with how pretty it looked.

“Well, flowers only really matter if they are expensive and look it. They try to buy authenticity with materialistic urges.”

Kane took note of how you described your fellow residents as “they.” You didn’t even seem to consider yourself to be one of them. Odd.

“So what are your favorite flowers then? The most expensive ones?”

That slick, smitten smile spread across your lips, mimicking the rosy blush across your cheeks. The phantom smell of roses danced in your nose. Shiny petals danced in the moonlight, filtering through your mind.

“Well, if you must know, then white roses. In a way, they have the most value. Their seeds are pricey, but that is what makes having so little so valuable. Being able to give them up is a gift far more worthwhile than riches.”

Your companion took in your answer and considered it. Obviously, there were no fine floral such as the white flowers you held so dear in Twelve, but this wasn't the first time he’d heard of them. Lucy Gray described her first encounter with her rose-bearing mentor. The trees began to clear slightly when you were knocked off course when Kane bumped his shoulder with yours.

“Oh, it’s not the flowers. It’s a boy giving them, isn’t it?”

You laughed ridiculously at his (right) accusation. “Just how much did Lucy Gray give away?”

“Oh, she can’t stop talking about the two of you.” He laughed lightly at the memory of her enthusiasm for “true love.” The tree break came into view, and you walked through and turned around to face your newest friend. You smiled at him, a gesture lightly returned.

“At least it isn’t curses. I can manage to accept that.” A quick wave, and you were off to your office to get some work done. In the whirlwind of emotion from the day, you underestimated the persistence of Cassian and Coriolanus.

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There are far worse fates for Coriolanus Snow than being a peacekeeper. He actually enjoyed the routine and obvious benefits of large food quantities and bedding that actually fit him. Not to mention you and Sejanus’s company. Even Arachne was an unexpected perk. Though, there was one person who made Coriolanus’s agitation flare up.

Cassian Slate was no threat on the surface. Even in reality, Coriolanus had enough confidence to know he was no threat to his relationship with you. That doesn’t mean he liked his eyes on you nor his continuous efforts to get close to you. Something about him made Coriolanus’s gut sour. The feeling had never disappointed him before; he doubted it would start now. Tens of peacekeepers who were not on active duty were in the training facility. Fury had already fueled several of Coryo’s exercise reps. Yet, Cassian did his so gently. As if he had no weight upon his shoulders. It shouldn’t have been odd for a man of no status, such as the district-born, but it was more than that. Everyone else had an air of struggle or striving, but Cassian was eerily free of those attributes. Something was off about him.

The sentiment was shared by Sejanus. For the past several hours, he had been mulling over the name and the hazel eyes that trailed everything far too closely. Until it struck him, sending him straight back to his childhood memories. Just as Marcus had been his classmate, so had Cassian. All Sejanus wanted to do was reconnect, but he doubted it would cause any good results. Though it seemed it wasn’t just him who could recognize old childhood friends. When Coriolanus was distracted, talking to him and Sejanus’s shared roommate, Cassian made his way to Sejanus, who was studying varying herbal remedies.

“Guess the Capital hasn’t changed you after all.”

Coriolanus should have stopped the conversation. There was a lot that should have been done in those days to stop what would come.

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It had been nearly an hour, and you were still unsure where Arachne had gone. Although, her disappearances had become more frequent, so there was no immediate reason to panic. She always comes back for dinner. You were in a small research office at the far end of the large building shared between researchers and peacekeepers. A dusty library was centered, with varying proposed rooms scattered around it. On the first day, you and Arachne managed to snatch one of the few in good condition, with a pretty view of the billowing trees.

You had been stooped over several books about cross-species mutations, the exact category of the mockingjay. Coincidentally, there were also descriptions of a group that could induce the hallucinogenic symptoms akin to your uncle's. Focus overtook you so firmly that you didn’t hear the knock on your open doorframe.

“And she still finds herself lost in the pages.”

Tired eyes snapped to the teasing gaze of your Coryo. He walked to you slowly, and you took that time to admire his appearance. The peacekeeper position really didn’t look too bad on him. The buzzed blonde perched himself next to you. You didn’t need to explain all the diagrams or pages. You never had to really explain anything, academic or personal, to Coriolanus. A miracle you were eternally grateful for. As he understood the aim of your work on your own, you went back to it, settling into the comfortable quiet. All until a grating voice pierced Coriolanus’s ears.

“Hey, Y/N—oh. I didn’t know you had company.”

Both you and Coriolanus looked up with two widely different expressions. A look of embarrassment overtook your face, while Coryo sent a murderous glare to the brunette. Cassian, adamant as ever, still made his way into your office. He looked at his blonde peer with a quizzical look.

“Uhm, if you wouldn’t mind, I need to talk to Y/N about private peacekeeping business?”

Cassian wanted to get comfortable, so Coryo did the same. Instead of simply being next to you, Coryo moved his arms in a manner that trapped you within his embrace as he faked reading the plethora of information beneath your fingertips. You felt trapped, both physically and socially in the moment. Yet, Coryo radiated smugness.

“I am a peacekeeper as well, so it shouldn’t be a problem. Don’t you think, Y/N?”

You felt like a fish out of water, gaping up at the man hovering above you. Blue sapphire eyes that passed for his ducked down to level with yours. A stuttered “y-yeah” was hardly heard as Coryo raised his head. Coriolanus’s joy only grew, seeing the irritation build behind those charming hazel eyes.

“I need to speak about private matters by order from my superior.” Cassian’s voice was strained as he tried to hold back the irritation at the foiling of his plans.

“Then don’t let me stop you,” Coriolanus stated daringly. You picked up on Cassian’s little ticks. They weren’t ones of boyish nerves but rather signs of anger and stress. His eyes zoomed in on you for backup, but you no longer felt willing to give him a few moments alone with you.

One of the many reasons you and Coriolanus got along so well was your strong intuition. If only you all shared it.

Cassian knew he wasn’t going to get anything with Coryo’s sharpness orbiting you. A mumbled goodbye, and he was gone. Your head swiveled to follow the movements of Coryo, who now made his way to sit in front of your small, chipped wooden desk. Squinted eyes leveling a disappointed look had no effect on him.

“There is something off with him. I’ll find out soon enough.”

And that was the end of the conversation. No room for argument, because how could you oppose the feeling that had been slithering through your stomach at his oddly insistent behavior? You tried to piece together the pieces before your attention was once again stolen by the charming peacekeeper.

“I crossed paths with Lucy Gray earlier. She invited us to her and the Covey’s trip down to the lake in a few days. Thought you would enjoy it.”

The smile on his face was sickly sweet and warm. Stars of adoration shone through his dimples. You were lucky you even caught on to what he was saying while being so distracted.

“I would love to, but I don’t have anything to wear.”

“She called in some favors. Didn’t hurt to have a peacekeeper presence behind her.”

Worry etched its way between your brows at Lucy Gray’s gesture and the intimidation of Coryo. However, the latter was quick to peck the spot with kisses, smoothing it out. He was still intent on keeping his promise to himself about you. Coriolanus didn’t need you worrying about anything. Even if you were across the country, you two would return to the Capitol soon enough, victorious and your places justifiably awarded. As president and first lady. He had already gotten his first step back. News he was excited to share with you by the lakeside, but that wasn’t what he was looking forward to the most. You started talking about some passionate debate between you and Arachne. Coryo could only notice just how much the ring of Snow glowed.

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You were drowning. The sudden darkness was replaced by frigid water blocking fresh air from entering your lungs. It crept down your hair strands and into the little tunnels that form your ears. In less than a moment, you sprang up from your bed, scraping your face to get the unwelcome substance off.

"Good morning, sunshine."

The void, raspy morning voice of Arachne greeted you. Your eyes were still blinking away the water as her fully dressed figure came into view. Still reeling from a deep sleep, you could only manage a half-hearted glare. There wasn’t a single sunray striking through your curtains. What joke was life playing on you today? A firm pillow broke you out of your thoughts and the minuscule semblance of peace you had gotten.

“Get dressed, we need to meet everyone by the back woods.”

There wasn’t a single coherent thought forming. All you could do was grumble and stare blankly at your blanket. Another perfect hit on your head via pillow. “Blame yourself. You wanted to go to the lake.”

Ah yes. The past few days had been a haze of morning walks with Coryo, research duties, small rendezvous with Kane, and conversations with Sejanus and Arachne at the oddest moments, since neither could rarely be found. Interesting how they are only present when the other is... Well, your pondering could wait. Now you needed to get up before your redheaded friend refilled the water cup. Lucy Gray instructed you all to meet by the early dawn at the back clearing of the woods. Apparently, the best time to visit the lake was early morning.

Your outfit was a simple dress by Capitol standards, yet still the most opulent fabric masterpiece the districts had the privilege to see. Good thing the early dawn light covered it up. Arachne was wearing a deep navy skirt and chic white blouse to pair. Underneath both, the gifted swimsuits from Lucy Gray. You tried to deny it, but she insisted, for “all you have done.” No matter your personal feelings on it, Lucy Gray, and lately Kane, thanked you for the dignity you gave the two District 12 tributes in their time at the Capitol.

Only a few feet ahead, you saw several grouped figures in the clearing of trees that transitioned from field to woods. You could tell from the height and perfect posture which one was your Coryo. It was an immense relief to know you were right, considering you jumped on his back. It was a surprise to the boy, but a very good one once he saw your wide smile. Eyes still droopy, your joy made up for your sleepiness. Coryo was quick to wrap an arm around your shoulders as your decently sized group made its way. The whole Covey was present and leading the way. In addition, Rowan was getting off the trail with the ever-loyal Maude Ivory beside her. Their victim of the day being a poor fluffy tailed squirrel on the run from the pair. Her brother, Kane – a moniker only you used – was listening intently to something Sejanus was saying. Somehow, the two met, which was a bit odd to hear him talk about “Otto.” He never met your brother, so to even hear the utterance of his name felt peculiar. Even Arachne joined in. Their conversation was quiet but brought a smile to the men's faces and an expression of pure contentment that was so foreign on Arachne’s pretty features.

To your left, Lucy Gray was lively speaking of the district and her favorite stories. To your right was a rare, relaxed Coryo. The situation you found yourself in felt too perfect to last. It was the first time in months, maybe years, or even a decade, that you and your Capitol peers felt like actual youth. Careless young people who are in love, with someone or life itself. You hummed along with Lucy Gray’s excited retelling and admired the beautiful view that opened up to you. The army of trees parted their branches to display a serene scene of emerald pines surrounding a crystal blue lake. The morning sun cast an effect of sparkles across the water's calm surface. Well, that was calm before the immense splashes of Rowan and Maude Ivory’s sudden jumps into it.

The two young girls’ antics brought the whole group laughter but also a feeling of longing for you too. There weren’t many children in the Capitol your age. Nearly all your peers had no young siblings, or if they did, there was a near ten-year age gap. The toll of the dark days still shows in the empty classrooms that the middle school-aged children should have filled. You were shaken out of your gloomy thoughts when you were physically shaken as your feet left the ground.

“Coryo—AH!”

Your shrieks were cut off by the purge of water you were suddenly thrown into. As fast as you possibly could, you cut through to the surface to see a grinning Coriolanus. Oh, that little—No one seemed to give you the courtesy of peace as your mental curses were interrupted by large splashes in your face. This time, the offender was a sly-faced Arachne. And to add onto it all, Sejanus joined in on the fun. You were still wearing your dress for goodness’ sake. Though, the fabric would have to wait as your time of revenge had dawned.

You aimed your hardest splash at your closest opponent, Arachne, and went directly for Coryo, ensuring your feet splashed Sjenanus. The pretty dress was drenched and slowing you down, but you were determined to reach the laughing blonde, and he seemed in no mood to stop you. You finally got close enough to make your own attacks, which were quickly retaliated. Coryo got closer and closer to you. Seemingly enough, he must've been some sort of magnet as you naturally floated into his space. Mere inches from each other’s faces, you soaked it all in—the water covering your entire body, the sun warming it, and the man who you loved beyond words and worldly limitations. It transcended into spheres only known to your sentiment rather than your consciousness.

Giggles bubbled all around you as you turned to see a family’s much-needed relaxation and enjoyment. Coryo used the moment to bring you close and hook his head into the crook of your neck. You watched in contentment as Maude-Ivory and Rowan raced against each other, pretending to be different types of fish, even making noises and impressions to go along with it. Sejanus floated on his back, taking in all the beauty of Twelve's nature. Arachne was swimming a few ways off, exploring the body of water. Kane was as red as a sweet apple, and you had an inclination it had nothing to do with the scorching sun, but the sunlight in human form next to him. Lucy Gray had a blinding smile that only fueled his smitten one and yours of excitement for the two.

You felt the constraints of your drenched dress loosen as Coriolanus was unbuttoning it in your moment of analysis. He quickly threw it near the shore and instantly had his arms wrapped around you. Turning to face him, you met piercing blue eyes that always brought you comfort.

“This is nice.” A sickly sweet smile played upon your lips. Coriolanus nodded along, just wanting to hear more of your voice. “Yeah?”

You breathed in the forest air, letting the atmosphere roll over you as your eyes fluttered shut. “I never thought I would be grateful for Highbottom for sending me to Twelve, but here I am. Especially with you here.”

Opening your eyes, you were not met with Coryo’s own staring back. Rather, they avoided you as they stared off toward where the rest of the group swam. A look of contemplation and seriousness carved its way onto his chiseled features. Panic started to bubble beneath your heart as possibilities started running rampant in your mind. You knew everything was too perfect to last.

“I don’t think we are going to be here much longer, Y/N.”

Your eyebrows furrowed as you tried to decipher his meaning and bring some semblance of comfort to your body that started to chill. “This place,” Coriolanus continued, “it isn’t for us. We are meant to be in the Capital. We belong there, not hiding away in the woods.”

It was never to be expected that Coriolanus would like Twelve, but how exactly were the two of you supposed to go back when your exile was far from over? Not to mention, you were unsure of what to expect back at the Capital with no home nor father. Sejanus would be adamant on staying in the districts, and Arachne... well, you were unsure of Arachne these days. The only other people you were sure you could rely on were the Snows, and they themselves had no support, even less so with these weeks of separation from Coriolanus. Yet, of course, the blonde had a plan at hand to ease your apprehension.

“I was offered an officer position in One. It would be so much more pay. I can send back to my family. They are struggling so much, Y/N. They even moved out of the apartment. I need to go, and you to come with me. I’m not being separated from you again.”

Your grip on the young man tightened as you started feeling weak, even as shivers rattled your bones. Coryo immediately noticed and was quick to swim you back to shore in worry. Thoughts of the Snows' struggles and sacrifices tried to crawl their way to the forefront of your brain to distract you from the numbing feeling. Coriolanus sprinted to the basket of towels the Covey brought along and grabbed far too many in your opinion but far too few in his. The water wasn’t cold, not enough to make you shiver. And it was so instantaneous as well. No signs of cold until he mentioned his proposition, and you were suddenly freezing. You were thinking the same thing as you finally accepted this was a recurring issue. Since coming to Twelve, these bouts of frost overtook you but left within a few minutes. Though, as you expected it to wear off soon, a foreign prickling pain took hold of your right leg.

A horrific sight had black spots clouding your vision. Ice-blue crystals scaled up your shin, thinning out near your knee. You looked up to see Coryo coming back to you, and in a panic, you made the decision to try to rub it off. A horrible choice, as stings of pain shot through your veins and up to the arteries strangling your heart. An uncontrollable shout of agony left your mouth, causing the already fast strides of young Snow to rapidly speed up. He immediately dropped to his knees, covering you with warm, sun-baked towels. It was then that his eyes caught your leg. The quick-thinking Coriolanus was stunned into a bewildered freeze; his ever-turning gears halted in a mirage of anger, confusion, worry, and shock.

"I don't know, Coryo. I don't know!" you cried as emotion cracked your voice. He was still silent as he grabbed your leg to examine it while you tried to bite back any more yelps. You wished to scream at him to stop when you felt his finger lightly graze the frost, but suddenly, it started to melt away. Once assured that there wasn’t a single prickle of ice left, Coryo’s full attention turned to your lightly shivering body.

“Y/N…”

“It’s been happening since I got on the train to Twelve. I’ve tried all I can to figure out whatever ailment this is, but what is the cure to ice?!”

“Fire.”

You leveled him with an unimpressed look, undermined by the fear dancing in your eyes. Exhaustion engraved itself on your face and body language. Comfort wrapped itself around you in the form of Coryo’s arms. The constant cycle of joy and ruin was becoming too much; you just wished for peace. Not even the furthest edges of Twelve could provide it. Nothing could, except the boy you were tangled up with. You let your mind wander into a blank state while Coriolanus never had the privilege. Instead, he was calculating what could have caused your problem. You said it had been since you got on the train to Twelve. If that bastard Highbottom laid a finger on you—

"Hey, lovebirds, lunch is ready!" Sejanus shouted from further down the beach, waving you two over.

You snuggled closer to the man as a whisper snuck out. “You really think I can transfer out of here?”

The look he sent your way was the embodiment of gentleness and endearment. "You are the best mind this whole district has. I’m sure they can recognize that your place is far greater than here."

You didn’t agree with your “superiority” to the district-born, but you were open to leaving the place you were starting to love. The strings of your heart did pull at the thought of consciously leaving your uncle behind, even if he didn’t seem to recognize or enjoy your presence. You enjoyed the friendship of Lucy Gray and the antics of her sister and Rowan. Oh, Rowan and Kane. You had yet to fully comprehend that you had a cousin and the eerie similarities between your late brother and the man who took his moniker. Though, you did know where your loyalty lay most of all. It would cut you to know you would leave business unfinished, at least for now. But it would kill you to be apart yet again from the man whose love was an uncontrollable element of your existence.

Coryo slowly stood up to give you time to adjust and aided you up like any good-sensed gentleman would. His hand intertwined with yours as a hopeful smile grew on his handsome face.

“So you would come with?”

“Told you, where you go, I go. One ain’t so bad compared to an arena filled with people who want to kill you.”

You didn’t have to remind him of the cost of your loyalty. Though the confirmation made his heart soar and his stomach knot as his plan was nearly set. As the two of you met up with the rest of your group, Coriolanus helped you put your hair out of the way of your food. In the process, his swiftness and subtlety completed the last part of his plan. While surrounded by warm and lively conversation, the pocket of Coriolanus was weighed down with a ring of anticipation.

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After several hours of answering the endless questions from Maude-Ivory and Rowan about the Capitol, it was late afternoon, and time to go back. The covey had a show later that night, and Ott-Kane had to get ready for his shift at the bar. It slightly frightened you how easily your subconscious was willing to call him Otto. The foreign feeling lingered off your tongue, and the constriction of your heart made you uneasy. Your friends left oddly quickly, and even Sejanus didn't wait for you or Coryo. The latter was oddly slow to take his leave. For all his talk of wanting to leave Twelve, he did take his time looking around an unusual number of times. His behavior made you antsy, and your natural instinct was to grip your metal rings, which had brought you comfort these past few weeks. However, the action provided the exact opposite of the comfort you sought.

Horror made you nauseous as you felt your bare neck. Over and over again, you slapped your neck and chest, yet not a single one of the three rings was there. Short breaths were the only sounds you could hear above the blood pounding in your ears. How could you be so careless?! They were certainly expensive pieces of jewelry, but to you, they were priceless. They represented your mother, your legacy, and your love.

You searched everywhere in your immediate vicinity, doing your best not to alert Coriolanus. It was his family ring, among yours, that you had lost. Oh, he would be so disappointed. Maybe even furious at your reckless behavior. However, there is very little one can hide from the watchful eye of the Snow heir.

"Your rings!"

"I know! Please, please don't be mad! I don't even know how I lost them; they are always so secure. What if I lost them, Coryo! Oh no, what if I lost them? What do I do? Oh my—"

"Y/N! Love, please just breathe!"

Hands on your shoulders forced you to inhale and exhale. The process helped you calm, but it could not lift the doom placed upon you. You met Coriolanus's eyes, which you expected to be hard with annoyance at your panic, yet they were barely concerned. There was a softness to them you felt was undeserved.

"Let's go find them, okay?"

You were already taking steps back toward the lakefront, but Coryo suggested you look in the woods. It was too late to inform him that, if your memory served you correctly, you had your necklace during your trek here. Only after your swim and the ice debacle did you lose track of the family heirlooms' location. But Coriolanus was already lost in the trees as you ran to catch up with him. His walk wasn't one of slow scanning but a determined march. He didn’t even seem the least bit confused about where to go, as he should have been, being so new to this section of the woods. Rather, he knew exactly when to jump over tricky roots and when to move branches out of the way for you. The last rays of sunlight had already set, leaving twilight to dance above your heads. A beautiful sight you wished you could indulge in, but it only reminded you of the lost beauty you felt you were drifting further and further away from.

After several minutes of blindly trailing after Coriolanus, who barely glanced around, you cracked.

"Coryo, stop! We are going the wrong way. Please, we only have so much more light. I can't lose these too!"

The crack in your voice pierced his heart, but Coriolanus knew what he was doing. He was so, so close—just a few more steps.

"Let's just look a little further."

You gave an exasperated huff as your head tilted backward. Why was he being so difficult?

"Coryo, please—"

"Wait, what is that?”

Your eyebrows scrunched as Coryo pointed to something shiny a few feet ahead of you. Immediately, your feet carried you toward the possible source of your relief. So focused on the possibility, you didn’t realize the metal twinkled because of the numerous string lights surrounding the circular clearing of trees. You bent down and swiped the fallen leaves off quickly as your shaking hands gently lifted the metal. Though, apprehension turned into confusion as it was something you recognized, though it wasn't your adored jewelry. It was Coriolanus's peacekeeper dog tags.

You turned around, puzzled, as your eyes were still on the tags. "Coryo—"

All words, breath, and blood in you froze.

There, on one knee, a scene only from the most earnest chambers of your heart appeared. Coriolanus Snow held out the ring of his family, passed to you. The twinkling light encircling the two of you illuminated the display with bright yellow yarrow and pure white baby’s breath intertwined into bouquets among the branches. Even the warm lighting couldn’t fully hide the rouge and heat washing over Coriolanus’s smiling face.

"Y/N—"

In hindsight, you mentally kicked yourself for not waiting to hear his speech. Though you couldn’t blame yourself, as you fully threw yourself at the love of your life.

"YES! YES!"

You didn’t really think through your actions as you both fell back onto the dirt forest floor, but you didn’t mind, and seemingly enough, neither did Coryo, as you sealed your answer with a hundred little pecks. Your emotional hurricanes had been far too common lately, but in that moment, the few tears of joy and giddy laughter were welcomed as you held his face close and him to you.

"You are sure? What if my speech was horrible?"

A tear and a laugh couldn’t be contained as you rolled your eyes at the ridiculous question. "It’s your smooth talking that got the girl to say yes, Coryo. So yes, I’m sure."

A grin split his face as he dived back in for one more kiss that would have melted into a mind-numbing amount more if you hadn’t broken it with a toothy grin of your own.

"So can I have my ring back?"

"Technically, it’s my house ring."

"Either way, it’s mine now, isn’t it?" You smirked, and the flushed young man couldn’t help the fluttering feeling in his heart float freely.

"Well yes, it is, Mrs. Snow."

Somehow, even with your tumble to the ground, the ring of Snow still remained in Coriolanus’s hands. Hand in hand, his slightly calloused fingers gently slid the shimmering heirloom along your ring finger. It fit perfectly. A good thing, as its integrity would be tested when suddenly a force picked you up and spun you around.

"Finally!!"

Sejanus’s voice rang out as the trees turned into blurs while you were spinning in the air.

"I do think Mr. Snow would like his fiancée in one piece, Sejanus."

Arachne’s dry voice rang out but was mixed with a tone of softness so foreign to the redhead. As you were placed down, albeit a bit dizzy, it was no longer just you and Coriolanus in the clearing. Sejanus and Arachne you heard (and felt), but you were also graced with a giddy and jumping Lucy Gray, the cheering and dancing pair of Rowan and Maude-Ivory, and a content Kane leaning against a large-trunked tree.

You turned to Sejanus as the brightly smiling boy crushed you in a hug, and you cackled in shock. "I'm so happy for you two!"

"I can tell by the way you’re crushing my wife to death.”

Coryo’s presence was felt as Sejanus let go with a sheepish look, which turned into one of pride as he looked at his two closest friends, so happy with each other. Sejanus turned to hug and congratulate Coryo as you turned to a vulnerable-looking Arachne. She caught your eye and tried to give her best genuine smile, though you could tell it was a bit of a struggle.

"Congrats, Ace. You deserve it."

Her voice was laced with an unspoken sadness that she tried to cover up with joy for the two of you. It puzzled you, as you couldn't figure out what the gravity of her tone could be from.

"Hey, don’t give me that face. I’m still going to need a maid of honor and a friend to complain to." You joked with her to lighten the mood, and thankfully, she laughed along. Arachne wasn't one for hugs nor sentimentality; you knew that much, but she did try her best. She placed a hand on your shoulder as a light smile curved her lips upwards.

"I’m being serious, Y/N. You deserve your happiness, no matter who it is."

Arachne didn’t give you much time to ponder her last bit as she turned away, and your attention was grabbed by an elated Lucy Gray. Immediately, you were enveloped in a hug.

"Soulmates! You two are made for each other, and now you are getting married!"

Her ecstatic voice rang through the trees as your giggle followed its pathway. You separated from the embrace, and your eyes crinkled from your smile.

"Thank you! Though, I do have a favor to ask of you as your friend. The wedding wouldn't feel complete without you there—"

"I thought you would never ask!"

Yes, another crushing embrace (you weren’t sure your ribs were going to hold due to the amount of these hugs). "Oh, please let me sing! Your love will be so easy to write and sing about. It flows as naturally as the river's waves."

You could only giggle at her excitement as you agreed, and yet another cheer erupted from her. An energy matched by the two jumping girls sprinting toward you, nearly crashing into your abdomen.

"Can we come, please, please?!"

"I can sing too! Lucy Gray says I'm getting just as good as her!"

"I can do all the flowers! I did the ones today, look!"

Suddenly, a bouquet of white and yellow flowers was thrust into your face by Rowan. You took it gently with a sweet smile as you examined the pretty floral arrangement.

"We both did it! Rowan did the yellow yarrow, and I did the white baby’s breath! It reminded me of Coriolanus's hair."

That made you and Lucy Gray burst into laughter at the admission.

"They both mean everlasting love! That's what Lucy Gray keeps saying you have!"

Your eyes drifted away from the ecstatic girls to your brunette friend, who met you with a satisfied grin. You turned back to the chaotic pair to greet them with good news.

"Well, nothing's a party if you two aren’t there, is that right?"

High-pitched shrieks of excitement erupted from the two as they hugged your lower body tightly.

"So we get to go to the Capitol?!"

Your mind paused at the question. You forgot the reality of your country and just how difficult it would be to get two little girls from the poorest district to attend your wedding. Lucy Gray could be argued for due to her victor status, but anyone else would be an issue. Though, you had a saving grace in the form of Rowan and practically Maude-Ivory’s older brother.

"Okay, you two have pestered her enough."

Groans of disappointment and debate were quickly shut down as the pair were beckoned by Lucy Gray to go congratulate Coriolanus. They begrudgingly followed the singer, who shared a quick honey-laced smile with Kane.

"Seems like there’s another love brewing, huh?"

You teased lightly as he flushed beneath the string lights’ rays. He scratched his neck as he gave you a shy yet proud look.

"I just wanted to say congratulations. You deserve that kind of love. I know you will go back eventually, and I am nothing compared to the Capitol’s might, but if he ever does anything, just know how good I am with a bow and arrow."

His words were spoken with such sincerity that holding back the flood of emotion was cracking through your composure. He sounded so much like your brother. You deserved the love given to you, and he deserved the name and respect your brother once held. Maybe it was too much, but you slowly wrapped your arms around him as you muttered a thank you into his chest.

"Thank you, Otto."

He looked down at your face in surprise, and as you looked up, he knew it wasn't a mix-up. He meant every word he said, as did you. He returned the embrace, and you felt transported back to that little five-year-old who didn’t know that would be the last time she hugged her brother, her world. Though this time, this wasn’t meant to be the last; it was just the beginning. You knew you would have to leave, but you swore to yourself it wouldn’t be forever. Your blood is both in the Capitol and right here in the woods of Twelve. You wouldn’t abandon either.

Coriolanus watched from afar as he felt relief for you. He knew how much this situation was tearing you apart. A minuscule piece of him, however, did regret taking you away from this newfound part of your long-thought-dead lineage. He wasn’t given much time to stew, though, as Arachne’s presence made itself known.

"Congrats, Coryo."

The blonde turned to the girl, who now had her eyes trained on you. A longing and devastation fought against each other in her chestnut-colored eyes.

"Arachne?"

He beckoned to the girl, but she closed her eyes as she tried to finally seal off her heart. She knew this was coming, and she should be more than grateful for your friendship. The universe never favored her anyways. Arachne Crane was always destined for the black matter, while you and Coryo were the sun's favorite muses.

"You've won once again. Treat her well." And she was off. Coriolanus knew of her affections for you and didn’t wish to parade you off to her. Though, he couldn’t help but feel pride at being able to call you his. His wife. Ambition never resting on him, soon to call you his first lady. Coriolanus sauntered over to your conversation with Otto, who nodded approvingly to the man who was now your husband-to-be and left you two. You turned with a lovesick grin to the charming man.

"So to be clear, I didn’t lose my rings?"

Coriolanus laughed, shaking his head, as he grabbed your necklace from his pocket, dangling it in front of you. You turned around without a word as he seamlessly clipped it around your neck. Now only the two your mother always wore were along the fine chain. The most important radiated upon your finger.

"Oh, I still have your dog tags!"

"Keep them."

You cocked your head at his proposition, but you had no room to argue when he gently took them from your fingers and made them neighbors with the fine jewelry already there. You softly caressed the metal that had his name engraved upon it and turned to the tall blonde.

"Well, now everyone knows I’m yours."

"Well, I can’t complain about that now, can I?"

Oh, to be young and in love. To live in a dream. Yet, all must wake from their dreams, and you didn’t have a choice in the method. If you did, you would have never chosen the method of death.

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@notyourwildestdream 🌹@darktrashsoulbear 🌹 @scarletstarrs 🌹 @queenofshinigamis 🌹 @nekee-lilac02 @fantasylovestoryme 🌹 @a-avengerparker 🌹

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