Hello, all you lovely 12 people and all of those who have visited this story. Thank you thank you for following!! I do love getting reviews, so please feel free to share your thoughts and give helpful criticism. Now, chapter four...

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CHAPTER FOUR:

A FAMILIAR SUSPICION

A few evenings following his walk with Lucy Gray, Coriolanus was notified to visit headquarters and, feeling apprehensive, carefully swung open Commander Hoff's office door.

"Ah, Private Snow, do enter. There's nothing to worry yourself about, I just wanted to have a little chat about your upcoming transfer to District Two," Hoff ushered him in, and Coriolanus took a seat across from his desk, a cold tinge of sweat prickling the nape of his neck. Only yesterday the fortunate news that he had secured an officer's position had reached him. In two weeks, he was scheduled to be on a train, zooming happily away from the coal-mining ditch he had been condemned to. Now, sitting here in Hoff's humid office, he wondered with dread if something else had come up to ruin this plan.

"I don't usually, what is the word, pry into a private's personal affairs, but I've noticed that you've taken a strong liking to a local. She sings at the Hob? Your... tribute girl?" He settled upon a label for her. Coriolanus swallowed, prepared to conjure up some excuse for his lovesick behavior. He should have known that his conduct had been inappropriate. Lucy Gray had been around the base too often, especially after he revealed that they wouldn't be seeing one another for a while.

"Sir, I apologize, but I-"

"No need to explain yourself. Everyone at some point becomes subject to the spells of love," Hoff chuckled. "And I'm not reprimanding you. In fact, I'm going to offer you some advice," he added, offering a friendly smile. He could have a cordial side to him when he wanted.

"I'm listening, Sir."

"Once you begin officer training, the regulations you once had as a private are revoked. That is, you can be married. If you are married, then you and your spouse can relocate to District Two together. The Capitol will provide suitable housing, medical care, and a generous stipend for both of you. It's not common that people can leave their own district, but this would be a special circumstance," Hoff explained.

Coriolanus sat there trying not to appear bewildered. At first, he struggled to comprehend his words. Marriage. Well, that would be a big step. But that meant... If he married Lucy Gray, then she could come with him to Two. They wouldn't be separated. His one worry, the one flaw in his plan, would be solved.

"I assume this is good news?" Hoff wondered, watching in amusement Coriolanus's face becoming overjoyed. He caught himself and tried to relax his mouth from grinning like a moron.

"Uh-yes, sir. Thank you for informing me. I sincerely appreciate it," he mustered to respond evenly. He left Hoff's office dazed, wandering over to the mess hall for dinner without much appetite. All of his mental preparations for leaving Lucy Gray were still at the forefront of his mind. He had expected to endure his intense officer training alone, trusting that she wouldn't lose interest in him and run back to Billy Taupe or backtrack on joining him in the Capitol. He had foreseen abiding long, grueling days followed by lonely nights, aching for her embrace. But now, he had the possibility of always lying beside her.

He would have to ask her that monumental question. Propose. Oh no-how does a person go about that? He wasn't prepared for this. He felt like a foolish boy thinking it over. In the Capitol, proposals were typically done very spectacular. People there loved any good excuse for a grand celebration. He remembered how his one friend a few classes above him had proposed to his girlfriend on the steps of the grand opera house overlooking the main street. There was a professional photographer, flowers decorating the entire front, champagne, and of course a massive diamond ring.

But Coriolanus didn't have any of that.

No, all he had was a meager allowance and a chance sunset in the meadow. His ideal proposal would hardly be met and neither his ideal timing. Marry Lucy Gray... Eventually, he envisioned it happening years in the future. In the Capitol, surrounded by his family and friends and with plenty of expense for a beautiful ceremony. After he had the chance to work his way back to the top and she had the ability to charm the city with her songs until they forgot she had ever lived in the district.

Certainly, now would be rushed. They hadn't known each other that long. There was still so much unexplored, so much that neither of them knew. Yet, she had intwined herself around his heart. He believed that he did love her. That was more than some people in the Capitol could say. Often in the circles where the Snows had been involved, marriage was viewed as more of a transaction, a joining of class and wealth. Coriolanus' own parents had been subject to an arranged marriage planned since their youth. He had learned that they had grown to love each other, probably because they hardly had the opportunity to spend time with anyone else. This didn't necessarily bother him, and he himself had expected to follow a similar path.

Then, she came along. When it came to marrying Lucy Gray, it wouldn't be for any material gain. She would be his-what was that one fairytale his grandma'am used to read to him? Cinderella. She would be his rags to riches princess. He felt almost noble taking on the duty to bestow upon her a happily ever after. She belonged in high society with him. She had the class of a Capitol citizen in her blood. She was charming, well-mannered, elegant. It was only by unfortunate chance that she had been born elsewhere.

During the next few days on his rounds with Sejanus, Coriolanus was engrossed in the details of the proposal. Whatever scarce resources he had, he was determined to make it perfect. He knew that if he needed help, his squad or maybe even Commander Hoff would be willing to assist him. However, thinking it over, he decided that he'd only ask Sejanus. He wasn't the biggest fan of his hero of the helpless routine, befriending the miners and sharing his allowance like some saint; however, he'd grown accustomed to his presence and felt supported by him as a fellow private and friend.

"Sejanus, I've something to tell you. I'm going to ask Lucy Gray to marry me," he confided as they patrolled the east mining entrance. He couldn't hold it in longer, and he knew that Sejanus sensed something had occurred due to his lack of chitchat. He came to a halt in front of the slag heap, his mouth agape.

"You are?"

"Yes. Why do you act so surprised?" Coriolanus asked, a touch nervous. Sejanus suddenly let out a delighted laugh and punched him in the arm.

"Coryo, that's great! I just didn't expect it to happen so soon!"

"Yeah, it wasn't my initial plan either," he responded sheepishly, rubbing his shoulder. "But I'll be in Two for a year, and this way we won't have to be apart."

"That makes sense. Huh, Coriolanus Snow is going to marry a district girl," Sejanus smirked. "I wouldn't have seen this coming in years."

"Yeah, well she's not really from here. The Covey are wanderers. But yeah... I wouldn't have foreseen it either," Coriolanus added quietly. Perhaps he was a little surprised himself. If his parents were still alive, they would have been equally as shocked. Would they have been as supportive as Sejanus? And what about Tigris and grandm'am?

"So, when are you popping the big question? Are you going to bring her to some romantic spot? Declare your undying love for her?" Sejanus nudged with a grin.

"Something like that," he chuckled, reddening. "And soon. We have to be married before relocating to Two. I was hoping you could maybe help me? You know, to make it really nice."

"Oh, of course. Just tell me the plan and I'll help you with whatever you need," Sejanus readily accepted.

A few afternoons later, Sejanus followed Coriolanus to visit the blacksmith in town. He fashioned for him a simple gold band, melted down from a watch band Coriolanus happened to have kept with him. It was simple but temporary. He planned to buy Lucy Gray a fancier ring later. They didn't have much spare time, so they also did business with the florist for a bouquet. Coriolanus went in to pick out the flowers. He hoped for roses, but the woman didn't have any growing in her garden.

"I'm sorry, dear boy. Maybe primrose? They're very pretty and go well with my other flowers," she offered, pointing out a modest pink assortment. He relented, taking the fresh bundle she had tied up in brown paper for him. Upon exiting the shop, he searched for Sejanus, who he spotted conversing with a man on the corner. To his unsettling surprise, it was Billy Taupe. The moment Coriolanus caught his gaze, he quickly said farewell and hurried down the alleyway. Sejanus looked over his shoulder.

"Oh hey, you're back. Those look nice," he gestured to the flowers.

"Yeah. Why were you talking with Billy Taupe?" Coriolanus demanded.

"You know, I'm friends with almost all of the locals here," he shrugged.

"Yeah, but he's... Sejanus, don't talk to him. He's only one step from becoming a rebel altogether," he countered, turning to trek up the street. They needed to get back to base for their squad meeting.

"He's just an oppressed person trying to survive. Like almost everyone here. These people are poor, starving, working to the bone. And you wonder why there's problems..." Sejanus trailed. Coriolanus clenched his jaw.

"Whatever," he got out. "You can help other people, but not him. Seriously, cut it off."

Sejanus paused, turning away from him. He felt restless upon hearing his friend's reaction, but couldn't bring himself to abide by his words and for justifiable reasons that only he knew. Coriolanus didn't need to preoccupy himself with his affairs, especially not now with his upcoming proposal.

"You don't have to worry, Coryo. I know the situation, and I can handle myself," he returned quietly.

"I just don't want you to get into any trouble. Especially, because I don't want to have to be the one to drag you out of it. Not like last time," Coriolanus forewarned.

"I won't get into trouble. And whatever I choose to do here, it's through peace and not violence. Nobody will get hurt," he tried to reassure him, only causing Coriolanus to shoot him an odd look.

"What do you mean by that?"

"I meant just what I said. Come on, let's hurry before we miss the meeting." Sejanus directed in haste.

Coriolanus didn't like Sejanus' words, not at all. He was certainly caught up in something, some scheme. A familiar suspicion he once had crept to the forefront of his mind. Initially, he had rejected it, but now the evidence was becoming clear. Was Sejanus the inside peacekeeper whom Billy Taupe had referred to that night? Is that why he had become so friendly with the miners? These thoughts tormented him during the meeting, and he hardly paid attention to his officer's words. He kept eyeing Sejanus, who refused to acknowledge him. He didn't have enough proof to be certain and felt frustrated by having to deal with this dilemma now, too. He would have to sort this out after he proposed to Lucy Gray.