Author's Note:

Thank you for the faves, follows, and reviews.

This chapter's a bit long and has some flashbacks in it concerning Coryo and June's relationship. He's an actual human with some feelings in this...so...

Have fun reading.

Chapter 5:

When June suddenly quits her job, her boss is shocked. They had no idea that she's seeking employment elsewhere or is currently unhappy being a part of the Odair Luxury Cruises marketing family. They even pleaded with June to stay; offered to talk to their superior to see if she could be given a raise.

June turned them down.

They can't give her the same amount of money that Coriolanus can. Plus, Junes doesn't need to worry about an office romance ruining her ability to work.

June knows that Odysseus assumes that she's listening to him; taking a few personal health days, even tho you're not. June wonders if he'll find out that she quit her job at his father's company or if VPs don't find out that kind of information.

"You almost done with that application, darling?" Coriolanus asked as the two of them sat in his home office. He's lounging on his leather office sofa, clad in a low rise pair of sweatpants and a tight tank, with a coffee cup dangling in his hand. His icy blue eyes are glued to June as she sits at his mahogany desk, filling out her official application for her new job.

June already has the job, but she needs to submit an application so that he can approve it and get the onboarding process started.

"Almost, Coriolanus." June answered while scrolling thru dates to find her birthday on the computer screen.

"You called me Coryo all night and now we're back to this Coriolanus shit? Even after I gave you a job that I view as a very detrimental one?" He asked incredulously while sipping on his coffee. His brows were knit, in fact he was angry with the desk for blocking the view of June's legs. The raven-haired girl's wearing one of his shirts, which falls mid-thigh on her due to his height, and in his opinion it showed off her legs perfectly.

"Last night was a fluke. A one time thing for old time's sake." June told her ex while finishing up the application and hitting send. "Besides, you've got Livia to fuck now." She rolled the chair slightly away from the desk and stood up. "Oh, you can go approve the application now."

"I'm not fucking Livia." Coriolanus was quick to tell June while placing his coffee mug on the coffee table. "And I'm not moving her in with me, so stop trying to push me onto her as a way to avoid things between us." He added, getting up from the sofa.

"There's nothing between us, Coriolanus." The brunette tells him, crossing the room to the sofa.

"That's bullshit and you know it, darling." Coriolanus spat, striding over and meeting June halfway between the leather sofa and his desk. Taking her upper arms in his large hands, he told June with such conviction, "We have so much between us. So many years and fondness between us that it's foolish of you to act like we're mere ships passing in the night when we're so much more than that."

Patting him in the middle of the chest, June states, "That charm of yours paired with your elegant words should give you a leg up on your opponents." But with his silver tongue why was he at the bottom of the race? That irked her. So much so, that she told him, "I'll just have to go shift thru polls and surveys to see what the exact problem is; why you're so low ranking."

Coriolanus' baby blues searched June's Seam grey eyes studiously, as if he was trying to find the solution to a riddle. Slightly shaking his head, causing his unkempt platinum curls to rustle around, he asked, moreso to himself then to the raven-haired girl, "Why're you acting like this towards me? I thought that you love me?"

"Acting like what, Coriolanus? Like your assistant, your PR liaison, your campaign manager?" June sarcastically asked, only to sassily inform him of the simple fact that: "I'm getting a headstart on my job, Head Gamemaker Snow." Looking over his shoulder instead of in his overwhelming beautiful baby blue eyes, she mustered up every ounce of dishonesty that she could dig out of her sweet soul and told the self preserving lie of, "Loved you, as in the past, Coriolanus. I've moved on and discovered that you're not the type of man to love or deserve it; that I just confused care and a long-term friendship as something more."

Coriolanus tilted his head, brow raised, as he tightly smiled to mask his disappointment in June's dishonesty. "My darling rose, I thought we'd never lie to each other." His baritone was like a sharp drawn bow string, ready to snap.

The curly haired platinum blonde's call out on June's lie shook the brunette to her core. How the hell does he know she's lying? Is he that pompous, conceited, self-centered, and arrogant, or was he truly in tune with her thoughts and feelings?

Deciding that she needs to get away from the imposing golden angelic devil of a man before she cracks, June excused herself with, "I'll let you get on with reviewing my application and beginning the hiring process. I need to get home and relax."

"I'll call both the salon and spa you're a regular at; let them know to expect you later today and to just send me the bill." Coriolanus told June as she made her way to the door of his office.

Looking over her shoulder, June thanked him with, "Thank you, Coriolanus. I'll pay you back when I can."

"No need." Coriolanus waved his hand dismissively. With a thin lipped smile, he gestured towards the door and told her, "Just go relax and get dolled up to be my right-hand girl."

June nodded, a silent show of understanding, before opening the study door and walking out of the room; leaving the regal blonde all alone to process her application.

Coriolanus Snow was not a man that was easily impressed, but June's resume impressed him. It truly did. He knew that she'd be the perfect fit for running his campaign, being his PR spokesperson, and his assistant. But seeing her academic and career achievements in black and white just proved he was right.

And his benefactor Strabo Plinth told Coriolanus to either keep June holed up in a nice, but remote part of the luxury district (District 1) in one of the Capitol owned and operated spa/lodges as his mistress; he could visit from time to time, or to just toss her to the curb. Mr. Plinth felt that June Halvir had no value to Coriolanus' politician ambitions, unlike Livia Cardew, since she couldn't offer him anything *cough* money and status *cough*.

But despite Strabo Plinth's advice, Coriolanus didn't do either. Instead, after shoving his way into her life again after missing out on a month of it, he made June the most powerful person in his Senate campaign. He didn't even bother looking at the list of potential political advisors and campaign managers that Strabo had sent him.

No.

He chose her because he trusts her; knows that she'll help him win because June understands how important winning the Senate seat is to him. They've known each other since the days they were huddled together in the basement, waiting for the bombs to pass, as small children. They grew up alongside him as his best friend, his first crush- and daresay his first love?

June knows that Coriolanus' dream ever since you were little was to become the President of Panem. So, he knows that she'll do everything possible in her power to help him achieve that goal. First step is helping him become Senator Snow.

Coriolanus can't help, but to have memories of the two of them dancing around his head. Memories that make his engagement to Livia Cardew taste like bitter ash in his mouth.

June Coriolanus age 7:

The war was still raging on. It's in its second year and things are getting worse instead of better. Capitol City, Panem, was under siege. It's a war zone with crumbling buildings due to bombs, the stench of death due to a variety of reasons, sickness and disease, and hunger.

Widespread hunger due to the Capitol being cut off from any and all supply chains.

But, despite this, all the school age children were still being shuffled off to the Academy (where the elite went) or charter schools to learn. Even tho the country's at war and the District Rebels are trying to starve out the Capitol the children must still be properly educated.

Capitolite children are the future of Panem; President Ravenstill believes that they must be highly educated. Or at least that's the advice that's he's given by the Head of the War Department, one Dr. Volumnia Gaul.

One morning June's heading to school with her best friend, Coryo, and his cousin, Tigress. They're both blondes, but Coryo's 7 like June while Tigris is 10 or maybe 11- she forgot. But all 3 of them attends the Academy. June's older brother, Rein, attends the Academy too. In fact he's walking with Tigris behind his little sister and Coryo, keeping an eye out on the two kids.

Coryo's holding June's hand as they navigate the rubble on the sidewalks. Sometimes it's so bad that they're forced to walk in the middle of the street. But streets aren't busy with traffic and cars like before the war- no, now cars are sitting idle because there's no more fuel to power them due to shortages from the siege.

Everything seems like a normal morning, or at least as normal as one can be while in the middle of a warzone, when suddenly the loud sound of sirens went off.

An air raid warning.

Bomber hovercrafts have been spotted; they are headed straight towards the Capitol.

Quickly, everyone ran to the nearest bomb shelter, being basements in buildings throughout the city. June's ittle ragtag group was no different.

Coryo held his friend's hand tightly while running towards the building a few other people were going into. Rein and Tigris are quick on their tail. Coryo's long legs made him speedy and if his hand wasn't holding June's with a death grip then she'd be left behind.

But he'll never do that to the racen-haired girl. No, he'll never leave her. That little boy with the light golden curls loves June; she's his best friend and he's determined to keep her safe. Which is why he's running and dragging her along to the nearest basement bomb shelter to ride out the incoming air raid that'll start any minute now.

Looking up into the sky, June cries, "Coryo, look the bombs are coming!", as the bomber hovercrafts are in sight.

"Run, June, the shelter's up ahead!" Coryo screams back at her while making a mad dash to the shelter.

"Go into the shelter, now!" June's brother, Rein, orders in a loud shout. He and Tigris are right behind his sister and Coryo.

Coryo pushes open a side door to a building and runs downstairs, never letting go of June's hand. Rein quickly pushes Tigris forward, thru the door before entering himself. And while June's bestfriend leads her into the basement, where other Capitolites are hunkered down, the ground begins to shake and loud booms echo into the air.

It's the bombs.

June, Coryo, Tigris, and Rein made it inside of the shelter just in time.

But the force of the bombing makes walking down the basement stairs hard. Coryo never lets go of June's hand, not even when they reach the basement. In fact, he sits huddled with her against the wall.

"We're safe, June. I got us here; I'll always keep you safe too because you're my best friend." The boy with the light blonde curls and crystal clear blue eyes tells the raven-haires girl with Seam grey eyes while holding onto her for dear life.

Tigris is sitting next to Coryo while Rein's next to June. But her brother's not paying June any mind. No, instead he's talking to some girl next to him. Maybe he knows her from school?

But Coryo's hugging June close, determined to keep her safe and make her feel less afraid despite the fact that he too is scared of the bombs; of the unknown this war's bringing about.

June Coriolanus Age 13:

The war's been over for 5 years now, but the Capitol's still a heap of rubble. Sadly, the Districts are in worse shape. That's saying a lot about how destructive the war has been.

But buildings crumbling down and crops burning up wasn't the only damage left by the war. June's family was left damaged by the death of her father, Colonel Javanis Halvir, 5 years ago. He died in the woods right outside of 12, killed by rebels. Her dad died alongside his comrade, General Crassus Snow- Coriolanus' father.

So, they both lost their father's; the main breadwinners of their families. While Coriolanus was orphaned and left with his Grandma'am and cousin, June had her mother and older brother. But, honestly, their families had similar dynamics.

If it wasn't for the neighbor, Pluribus Bell, then both the Snow and the Halvir families would've starved to death. The former nightclub owner was a part of the black market; would often help both Coryo's and June's families with acquiring much needed items or a case of lima beans.

Currently, June's sitting with Coryo in his Grandma'am's rooftop garden on a late Saturday afternoon in May.

During the war Grandma'am Snow started growing cabbages to feed her family; she shared them with the June's family because her father, Colonel Javanis Halvir, was serving under her son, General Crassus Snow, in District 12 where her son was the Commander. Even now, 5 years after the war, cabbages are still being grown and shared by the Snows. Something that Junest grateful for even if she's tired of eating cabbage a thousand ways.

According to Coryo his Grandma'am always had the garden. Ever since he could remember, she's been growing roses on the rooftop. He even shared with her that his mom used to spend a lot of time in the garden with him, singing to him and tending to the Grandma'am's roses.

June envies her best friend for having small memories of his mother. June wishea that she could remember her dad, but no matter how hard she tries, she can't. Everything comes in little bits and pieces, just broken fragments.

Anyways…

Grandma'am Snow grows roses in every color imaginable. The flowers are truly beautiful. Breathtakingly so.

Coryo is as much of a botanist as Grandma'am. June tells him as much after he explained everything he knew about pruning, planting, and caring for the delicate flowers.

"When I become President I'm going to create such beautiful rose gardens that the gardens of the Presidential Palace will be the envy of everyone in Panem let alone the Capitol." The blonde boy, whose platinum curls fell around his head like a messy halo, smiles as he daydreams of the future.

"Are you going to tend the gardens? As President wouldn't you be too busy to prune roses?" The brunette girl with striking grey eyes ask, curious to what Coryo's answer would be.

Her best friend always has the 'perfect' answer for everything. His words are always so charming; sounding so right.

"Well, then I'll just have to teach you how to care for the roses. As my First Lady you'll be able to tend to the gardens when I'm too busy to do so."

He's been telling June for the last 4 years that he's going to make her his First Lady. She knows it's impossible; that a best friend can't become First Lady. The First Lady's always married to the President. But after arguing over it a few times, she just ignore him when he talks about her being his First Lady; helping him in the Presidential Palace.

"So would I be your gardener or the First Lady, Coryo? Considering I'd be tending to every rose garden on the Presidential Palace grounds."

Knocking his shoulder into hers, Coryo gives June a lopsided grin. "We'll hire gardeners; you'll be my First Lady. Botany will be our hobby outside of politics."

"If you say so." June lightly laughs, shaking her head.

"I know so." June's beat friend firmly states. Rising and holding his hand out for June to take, so he can pull you up off the stone bench you're sitting on, Coryo says, "Come on, you can help me with Grandma'am's roses."

June and Coriolanus Age 18 (a month before the games):

It's dark in Coryo's bedroom, the only light being from the moon. It softly shines thru the window, but it's not bright enough to illuminate the room. No, the room's too big for that.

But June's used to the darkness of Coryo's room. She spends a few nights a week with him; been doing so ever since the two of them started messing around 3 years ago. At first the raven-haires girl tried to sneak back downstairs to her own apartment, on the 8th floor, but the platinum blonde with the soft halo of curls and bright blue eyes would always stop her- he always insisted that June just stay with him.

After a few times of trying and failing to leave, June decided to just stop her feeble, useless attempts to leave. To just stay the night with Coryo, snuggled with him in bed.

June's literally laying on top of Coryo, since his bed's a twin that barely fits him, and his arms are wrapped around her. She's resting her head on his chest, absentmindedly tracing shapes on it with your index finger.

"When I win the Plinth Prize next month I'll make sure that you have every luxury you deserve, darling." Coryo promised, ghosting his fingertips up and down June's spine.

"No, Coryo." June shook her head. His family needed the money, not her. "You need to use that money to pay for University and to fix up your penthouse; you can't use it on me."

"I'm going to do those things, but I'm also going to take care of you too. I promised to do so when we were children and I've never broken my word."

"You also promised to protect me. Make me your First Lady too." The brunette dryly reminds him of long ago childish promises. Promises that she doesn't expect him to keep.

But secretly June hopes he keeps the promises he made because within these last 3 years they've been messing around with Coryo she's started to develop deep feelings for him. Feelings she hopes he reciprocates, but are too afraid to ask about.

"I'll always protect you, darling." Coryo assures June. "And you're going to be my First Lady. Just you wait and see."

"There's only one way for me to become your First Lady…"She mutter under her breath.

"Trust me, everything's going to work out." He sweetly says while tucking a strand of raven hair behind June's ear. Softly stroking her cheek with his knuckles, Coriolanus declares with such vigor and confidence, "In a few short weeks I'll win the Plinth Prize, we'll be able to attend the best damn University in Panem and then we'll become President Snow and the First Lady June."

June and Coriolanus 18 almost 19 (Day Coryo returns to the Capitol from District 12)

June knew that Coryo had left PK Base D-12 because her brother, Rein, told her when he called the other day. He said that 'Snow's been accepted to some Elite Officer's program, so he's gone. Also, your friend Plinth died- hanged as a traitor.' before asking June about how she's doing. June told Rein that she's fine. She didn't tell him how she's trying to find a job in order to pay the portion of the University tuition fee that's due before the semester starts.

Hwr older brother's a peacekeeper, an officer in District 12, and has a girlfriend. June can't let him know about the struggles her and their mother are going thru. Not when he's found someone; is considering starting a life with them too. June knows full well that her brother will send his entire paycheck, even take out a Capitol United Bank loan to cover her University expenses if she tells him the truth. And she can't have that.

June wonders what base Coryo was transferred to for his Elite Officer's training. She also wonders what branch he'll be picking to serve in: Air Force or Navy. June knows that she can't send him a letter until she gets one first, but that doesn't stop her from beginning to write to him.

June and Coryo exchange countless letters. And he tells her that he misses the Capitol, his family, and most of all June in every single one. A part of her melts at his words, but another part of her can't help, but feel that maybe he's just saying what she wants to hear. June's not stupid, she's almost positive that he must've used what little money he had to bribe his way into service in District 12 because that's where she is.

His songbird; his victor.

Lucy Gray Baird.

June knew when she saw Coryo stand up and lurch forward at the Reaping Ceremony in Heavensbee Hall once the beautiful girl with big soulful brown eyes, soft raven waves, and a rainbow dress full of frills, that her best friend and sometimes lover was a goner. That he was enchanted by her, that he was going to fall in love with her.

And that instantly broke June's heart. June loves him and it hurt knowing that her Coryo was no longer hers, but would end up belonging to somebody else.

Someone more beautiful than June.

And when June heard Lucy Gray Baird sing, well, she couldn't fault him for falling in love with her. No, not when she knew singing was something that soothed his soul; reminded him of his mother.

June never sang around him and he never asked her to. She took music as an elective, but he didn't, so he didn't know that June could carry a tune. He never asked; she never told.

And she'll be keeping that a secret until she dies now. No need to ever let him know that she likes music, can sing decently.

No, not when he's enchanted by a songbird. Not when he's falling for her after just seeing her sing on tv.

June can't help, but wonder if Coryo took his songbird to wherever he was transferred to for his Elite Officer's training. June knows for a fact that officers are allowed to have women. They can live with a girlfriend, fiance, or wife. It's a reward for their valuable service to the Capitol.

Just the thought of Coryo living with Lucy Gray breaks June's heart. If he's with her, he won't have any time to write June, will he?

No.

Probably not.

June's mother's out on a 'date' tonight, so she's home alone. June's sitting on the sofa, writing to Coryo when a loud knock sounds at her door. Curiously, she rises and goes over to the door. And when June answers it, she finds herself standing right in front of Coryo.

He's in his dress uniform, just staring at her as if he blinks you'll disappear. Before June can even ask him how it's possible that he's standing in her doorway, he places his hands on either side of her face and hungrily kisses her. Taking June's breath away.

June wraps her arms around his neck, kissing him back. The kiss is all teeth clashing and frantic lips smashing together. They're both desperate for the other.

When Coryo pulls away, letting the two of them catch their breaths, he presses his forehead against June's- causing his grey uniform hat to tip up a bit- and reveals in a near whisper, "I've missed you so much, my darling rose."

June's heart was beating wildly against her ribcage upon hearing his admission. It makes her happy to hear that he misses her. That as soon as he saw her, he had to kiss her.

And all June could say back was, "I missed you too."

Peering into the apartment behind her, he asked, "You alone?"

"Yes." She nods.

"Then let's show each other how much we missed one another, shall we?" Coryo suggested, only to sling June over his shoulder and walk inside of her apartment.

After slamming the door shut with the heel of his boot, he ran to June's room, causing her to giggle and playfully smack his ass. Coryo just chuckled and gave her ass a sharp smack before tossing June onto her bed and descending on her like a touch starved man.

Their kisses were heated and sloppy. Clothes were quickly shed and flung all over the room as the two of them kissed and touched each other feverishly on her sorry excuse for a bed.

And then the platinum blonde, whose curls were replaced with a close shaved buzzcut, left a trail of open mouth kisses from June's jaw, down her neck, to the valley of her breasts, all the way down her stomach before stopping at the apex of her thighs. His icy eyes were smoldering with lust as he pushed her thighs open. Coryo kissed the inside of one and then the other before bringing his face down into June's cunt. His nose nuzzled her clit as he licked stripe after stripe along her wet slit. A man thirsty with an unquenchable need for her pussy's sweet nectar, Coryo messily lapped up June's cunt.

June's whines and mewls spurred him on, but he knew that he wouldn't last long (due to a lack of sex since, believe it or not, Lucy Gray was a bit of a tease when it came to fucking him) and he needed to feel June's pussy clenching his cock, cumming around him before he loses himself and cums. So, before June can cum, Coryo lifts his head up.

"I need to be inside your cunt, baby. I need to feel you cum around me." Coryo told June, spreading his precum around his large cock and giving it a few pumps before lining it up at her dripping wet hole.

"I need you inside me too, Coryo. It's been too long." June tells him, holding onto his shoulders to brace herself as he slides into her.

It's a big stretch with a slight burn, since June hasn't been fucked all summer, but the slight pain passes and then she feels nothing, but the pleasure of being full to the hilt as Coryo bottoms out.

"Fuck, babygirl, your cunt's so tight; feels so good around my cock." Coryo groans, resting his head against June's as he gives her a moment to adjust to his 8 inches that's buried so deep inside of her that the outline of his cock is seen in her lower stomach.

"Please, Coryo. Move, fuck me." June begs, her voice a high pitched whine, as she tilts her hips upwards towards his in an attempt to get him moving.

Coryo lifts his head up and leans back on his haunches, only to pull his cock nearly all the way out only to quickly slam it back inside of June's neglected, hungry, drooling pussy. He repeats his actions over and over again until she's a babbling, cockdrunk mess.

And Coryo, well, he's pussydrunk and talking dirty. Oh God, he's saying the most absolute filthy things and it's going straight to June's core. Making her eyelashes flutter and her Seam grey eyes roll into the back of her head.

"I'm gonna fuck this cunt this you're begging mercy, til you pass out tonight from being over fucked."

The sounds of skin slapping skin loudly and lewdly echoed throughout the bedroom.

"Fuck…I forgot how tight and perfect your pussy feels 'round my cock." Coryo groans, his head thrown back in pleasure as he pounds June's pussy. "Your cunt's my cunt. I own this cunt, it's mine." He tells her with a possessive edge in his baritone. "Say it. Say your cunt's mine. Mine!" He loudly orders, gritting his teeth as he feels her begin to clench around his cock.

June's head's spinning and she's feeling the damn of pleasure beginning to burst as she babbles out in a whine, "My cunt's yours, Coryo. All yours."

Coryo's dogtags are jiggling against the hollow of June's neck with every fast thrust he makes. June's about to cum and doesn't even think as she grabs the dogtags and yanks on them, pulling Coryo flush against her. His mouth his mere inches against hers as she cries out, "I'm gonna cum, Coryo."

"Cum right now, for me. Cum right now like my good girl, my good little slut." Coryo demanded as he began to slam into June's cunt even harder.

June doesn't know if it's his words or his fast movements, but suddenly she's cumming and he's swallowing up her moans with eager, desperate kisses.

And when June's done riding out the wave of her orgasm, Coryo pulls his lips from hers and tells June in a deep, lustful tone, "I'm gonna fuck you full of my babies. I'm gonna cum so hard in you; knock you up and baby trap you with me, darling." A smirk crosses his face as his cum heavy balls smacked hard against her pussy. "You want that, huh? For me to knock ya up, tie your slutty ass to me forever." His lips nibble under June's jawline as he declares, "You're gonna look so beautiful full and round of my child."

"Yea." June simply says. She honestly couldn't say anything else. Her 0brain's been fucked to mush right now.

Coryo buries his neck into the crook of June's neck as he slams hard and harder into her. His fingers are digging into her hips with a bruising; possessive force. And it only took a few more moments before his thrusts grew ragged and sloppy. One, two, three more thrusts and he was moaning June's name like a prayer while shooting thick, hot ropes of cum deep inside of her cunt.

A cunt that he claimed was his.

He collapsed on top of June, panting wildly as he deeply inhaled her scent. Oh, how Coryo missed the way she smelled. It was always pleasant, like spring flowers.

And, honestly, June missed the way that he smelled. Even being thousands of miles away in 12 did nothing to dapper his scent of roses. She concluded that it must be his cologne.

Coryo felt the need to cockwarm June after being away from the warmth of her pussy for so long and she lets him. He rested his head against her chest and she just scratches his scalp with her nails. They're both content.

"June, baby." Coryo said, as a way to gain your undivided attention.

"Yea, Coryo." June replyis letting him know that she's listening.

"I was supposed to go to District 2 for an Elite Officer's training program, but instead I was sent here, to the Capitol, to have a meeting with Dr. Gaul. She said that my brilliant mind and talents would be a waste in the Peacekeepers, so she arranged for me to be honorably discharged by President Ravenstill. She also told me that Strabo Plinth's going to pay for my University tuition as a thank you for being best friend with Sejanus." Was the lengthy explanation to his return that Coryo gave June

An explanation that was a bit much to digest. But she digested it, nevertheless.

"That's good, Coryo. I'm happy for you." June says, feeling both happy and sad at the same time. Oh, yes, June's happy that Coryo's getting the chance to follow his dreams, but sad because she's not sure that she can follow hers. That she'll be attending University soon with him.

"I'm meeting with Strabo tomorrow; I'll tell him to pay for your tuition too."

WHAT?! HES WHAT!? WHAT THE HELL?!...

"Coryo, you don't have to do that. I'll figure something out." June tells him, letting him know that she didn't need him trying to get one of the richest men in the city to pity her.

"Of course I have to do it, darling. I promised to take care of you and to pay your tuition; I intend to keep that promise."

"You also promised to make me your First Lady." The raven-haired girl mumbles under her breath.

Playfulling nibbling on her neck, the platinum blonde tells June, "I heard that, baby." Lifting his head, he locked his icy blues eyes onto her Seam grey ones and swore in a firm, unmoving tone, "And you'll be my First Lady. I promise, June."

June Coriolanus Age 20:

Something happened during his time away in 12 that changed Coryo. He's always been a stoic, studious man, but now there was something different about him. June's best friend seemed colder now. As if he locked a piece of his soul up in a chest, just like Davey Jones has his heart locked up in a chest.

Dead Man's Chest.

Other than the night they spent together when he first came home, Coryo never showed June too much affection anymore. Yes, he touched her and held her, etc, but there didn't seem to be much warmth in his actions. There wasn't any love in it. Or at least to June it didn't feel like there was any love and affection behind Coryo's touches.

But, he does walk her to her various classes at the University and drags her to lunch with the group of 'it' kids. The heirs to Panem's riches, the people that he needs to rub elbows with to get ahead in life.

June knows how to act around rich kids. She's been playing chameleon for so many years now around these snotty assholes that she knows what to and what not to say. What silverware to use, how to daintily sip on her water glass, and how to cut her food into small pieces to take small, precise bites to make her look like a proper Capitolite young lady.

One afternoon Coryo wasn't waiting for June outside of her class, so she figured that he wasn't showing and decided to head towards the courtyard. Hey, if he's not here then she might as well just go sit in the early spring sun that's begun to melt the snow.

Coryo's the only reason June eats lunch in the mess hall. If June doen't have to be around Festus Creed, Persephone Price, Livia Cardew, Clemensia Dovecote, and Hilarious Heavensbee, then she's not going to be around them. Well, June has nothing against Clemmie or Hilarious, it's the first three jackasses that she can't stand.

And the fact that Coryo's 'best friends' with Festus now makes June's skin crawl. Only God knows what those two are getting up to when they're hanging out. Probably getting shit faced at the club and fucking high priced hookers in excluse VIP rooms or something.

But it's not like June has a say so in the matter. June and Coryo are- well, they hook up and he keeps her hanging onto false hopes that he's going to make her his permanent girl; make them public and exclusive.

June should really wash her hands of him and move on. Perhaps listen to her mother and take up one of the offers of marriage she's been approached with by some rich men. June's mother was very upset that June turned down General Prometheus Byzantine when he came by for dinner last night with a marriage brokerage proposal.

General Byzantine said that his friend, Mr. Strabo Plinth, had told him that June's a lovely and intelligent girl who's of age. That despite being raised in the Capitol, she was born in District 12 in PK Base D-12's Hospital; that she's half-Capitolite and half-District, but would make him a lovely wife. Especially when he's needed on PK Base D-2 to inspect how the current Commander's doing their job. Plus, he also said how he wanted a young wife that would be able to keep up with his young son, who was nearly 5.

June turned him down in 2.5 seconds flat. General Byzantine swore up and down that June would be sorry for turning him down. That Strabo would hear about her refusal; that one day he'd have her.

June's mother was so distraught that June threw away such a great opportunity all because she has some sentimental feeling for the Snow boy. Her mother hates Coryo, so June's not surprised she blames him for her turning down the general.

Honestly, maybe she's right. Maybe June won't let herrself fancy the idea of settling down with anyone because she's holding out for Coryo. Waiting for him to keep a silly promise he made to her.

June's in an alcove, almost to the courtyard, whenever the sound of running paired with a shout of, "June, wait!", loudly echoes in the air. Stopping and turning around, she sees Coryo rushing towards her. "I'm sorry I wasn't there to get you, darling. My professor went over his lecture time; I was stuck listening to him answer questions asked by the most idiotic pupils I've ever had the displeasure of sharing a class with." The platinum blonde, who now wears his curls styled in a slick back hairdo, explained as he reached the raven-haires girl's side.

"That's okay." June smile, but it doesn't quite reach her Seam grey eyes. "I figured you got tied up and decided to just go sit in the courtyard."

"I know, that's why I ran all the way here to find you."

"What? You knew I'd be in the courtyard and not the mess hall?" June asks in disbelief.

"I know you like the back of my hand" He nonchalantly shrugs. Taking your hand in his, he suggests, "Why don't we go sit in the courtyard and while we're basking in the sun on this fine spring day you can tell me all about the dress my cousin's making you for the upcoming Spring Ball."

"Okay." She nods, only to hold Coryo's hand and let him lead her to the courtyard. All the while gushing about the dress.

The dress that Tigris helped June come up with is light pink with white roses embroidered all over it with a sweetheart neckline and an A-line skirt. Tigris says that she'll get June white shoes and a white clutch to pair with it.

Upon hearing June tell him the color/pattern of the dress, Coryo feels a sense of pride. He also feels an obsessive sense of possession over her as well.

Giving June a huge, Cheshire cat like grin , the platinum blonde tells her, "I can't wait to see you in it, my darling rose." His icy eyes twinkle slightly as he adds in, "I'll be sure to wear white and provide us with white roses."

"You don't have to give me roses, Coryo. Not every girl wears a corsage to balls and galas nowadays you know."

"Yea, I know, but those girls aren't you. They're not mine, so I'll keep providing you with roses and you'll keep wearing them."

June Coryo Age 22:

"Are you excited for graduation, darling.?" Coryo asks June while they're walking down the Capitol streets, heading back to the Corso after eating dinner at a nearby, but expensive, restaurant. Coryo took June out to celebrate passing their exams. To celebrate that he's the top of the class and that she's his right hand girl in the second spot.

He had told her that Snow lands on top with the winter rose standing tall in the snow. The little joke was silly, but it was a metaphor for how he was always number one and how she's always right by his side as number 2.

"Yes." June nods, smiling wide. "I'm so excited to get that diploma in my hand and just, I dunno, get started living my life."

"I understand how you feel, June." Coryo tells her, running his thumb over her knuckles as he holds June's hand. "I can't wait to take my place as the Head Gamemaker."

"Didn't you get offered the position because Dr. Gaul got eaten by her electric eels after falling into their tank?"

"Yes, but she was already implementing all of my ideas; I was working as an Assistant Gamemaker too." He explained, causing June to just nod and let out a hmm. "Do you want to be an Assistant Gamemaker? I could get you a position and-" Coryo began, only for June to cut him off.

June never heard what Coryo wanted to tell her since she cut him off with her own news of, "I applied for a marketing job at Odair's Luxury Cruises; I got the job so I'll be working there."

Coryo's eyes narrowed slightly and turned colder than ice. "I see." He curtly said, his nose turned up a bit, as his thumb stopped tracing her knuckles.

Well, if June didn't want to be by his side professionally then so be it. She can work for some cruise line that specializes in island cruises off of 4.

But he'll still have you in his bed. He's not giving up fucking her. Hell no, Coryo's going to fuck June until the day they die.

Fine, Junr don't need his help with a job, but she'll always need his help to cum. And Coryo knows for a fact that he's ruined hwr, that she struggles to cum on hwr own fingers because of how good he fucks her- with his fingers, tongue, and cock.

Something in a store window catches June's eye. It's a ring. It's a diamond ring in the shape of a snowflake. June didn't tell Coryo about it, fearing that he'd think she's trying to make him settle down and commit to her.

Coryo saw June eying up the diamond ring in the store window. He found the fact that her grey eyes locked longingly onto the diamond ring shaped like a snowflake to be endearing. It also gave his already inflated ego a boot.

The next day the platinum blonde went to the store and bought the ring. He had the intention of giving it to June on graduation night, he honestly did, but then Strabo Plinth invited him and his family out to celebrate. And he couldn't say no to the man that made him his heir.

Coriolanus asked June to join them for dinner, but she declined. Said that she's expecting a call from her brother, since he couldn't get leave for their graduation. June told him to go and have a nice time; that she'll see him later.

Ma Plinth gave June a motherly hug full of warmth and told her that she'd be by the next day for tea. June smiled and jokingly told her that she better bring her famous biscochitos. Ma said that she would and told June to make some Earl Grey.

But June's goodbyes with Strabo Plinth seemed more tight and rigid than usual. The curt congratulations and the curt thank you, goodbye the two of them exchanges irked him. And when Coriolanus brought it up to Strabo, well his benefactor just brushed it off by telling him that June must either be tired or that her manners aren't as polished as they seem.

Coryo never knew the real reason behind the curt and cold, but polite interaction between June and Mr. Plinth.

One day, when Coriolanus Snow's running for Senate at age 24 he'll find out and he won't be happy about it either.

Oh, and Coriolanus still has that ring. After not giving it to June after graduation he placed it in his desk drawer. He told himself that he just had to wait until the perfect moment to give it to her.

But the perfect moment never came. Time marched on and before he knew it, he's running for Senate, engaged to a woman he hates, and is being left by the woman he (loves) cares deeply for.

Coriolanus blinks his eyes and runs a hand over his face as soon as his last memory fades. "Fuck…" He lowly mutters out in a mix between a sigh and a groan while hitting the accept hire button option on his computer while viewing June's application.

Leaning back in his chair, he runs his hands thru his hair before holding his head in shame. How could he fucking forget his promise to June? He never-

NEVER

EVER-

broke a promise to June, until now. How is he supposed to make her his Fist Lady when he's engaged to Livia and June's insisting that she doesn't love him anymore?

June's supposed to be by his side; be his First Lady. Livia Cardew, the catty bitch from hell, isn't First Lady material. She's not supposed to be in the Presidential Palace with him. Hell, she'll ruin the place and try to overrun it with her audacious ideas and style.

Coriolanus knows that he can't let her become his First Lady, not when he promised June that position. Hell, he promised to make her his First Lady ever since he was like 8 years old. And he kept promising June that ever since.

Fuck, when did he stop promising that? Uh, as far as he knows the answer is never.

Goddamnit, no wonder June's so pissed at him about his engagement to Livia. But why didn't June just tell him that he's breaking his promise to make her his First Lady by being engaged to Livis? It's all the two of them ever dreamed about when growing up poor and destitute; desperately wanting to claw their way out of poverty. Why wouldn't she tell him that he's shattering her dreams of becoming his First Lady by getting into an arrangement with somebody else?

Damnit, he shouldn't have listened to Strabo when he told Coriolanus that a marriage alliance between him and Livia Cardew would provide him with endless money for his campaign; would provide him with a stake in one of the largest banks in the country. He should've listened to his gut and told old man Plinth no. Actually, he should've told Mr. Plinth to shut up and go to hell whenever he suggested that Coriolanus send June to some luxury Capitol run and operated spa lodge in a remote section of District 1 to be kept as his mistress.

Hell…

Now he needs to find a way out of his engagement to fulfill his promise to June. He just has to make you her First Lady. Coriolanus never breaks his promises to June and never lies to her. Junes means too much to him to do so.

Then, a brilliant idea pops into the platinum blonde's cunning mind. If the Cardew family's disgraced then he'll be able to call off the engagement without looking like the bad guy. And the only way to disgrace a banking family is to frame them for bank fraud.

Specifically embezzlement.