Snow Lands on Top

Chapter 4

"Meet me outside after the dance" Lucy Gray says as the music ends. Coriolanus takes his hands off her and just nods gently at her before walking back over to Livia. Livia stands up as soon at Coriolanus makes it over to the table she was at.
"What did she want to talk about?" Livia asks while brushing off Coriolanus's suit. Perhaps, she wanted to kick off any scent of Lucy Gray on him. "She just wanted to talk about our time in twelve. She told me that she misses me." Coriolanus says. He is really lucky he picked a girl that doesn't like to know everything because Livia asks no more questions after that one. He needed time to figure out what he was going to do exactly. Livia was expecting him to give her a ride home, Lucy Gray wanted to see him outside after the Gala was over. How would he do it without disappointing one of them. He looked over at Lucy Gray, she was already being auctioned off to the next guy she was being forced to dance with. Coriolanus felt a pain in his heart, deep down, he knew that he should feel bad for her. Maybe a couple months ago, he actually would've felt bad for her. His focus is just not on her anymore, he needs to make sure every step he takes is a step closer to the power he wants. He looks down at his watch, the Gala doesn't end for another hour. Maybe he could give Livia a ride home now and get back over here at the end of the event to talk to Lucy Gray. Flawless plan, he thought to himself.
"Livia, are you ready to go home? I don't want to share my night with district anymore" he said. Livia frowns, "I thought we could share another dance." Coriolanus rolled his eyes at her. She needs to listen to him, he's the one that controls this relationship. He can't say that out loud here because disrespecting a lady is looked down on in the Capitol. "Livia, please. We can dance to some of those old records you have at home. I'm ready to leave" he says trying to plead with her. She smiled up at him. He offered her an arm as they began their walk out of the event.

Of course Coriolanus did not mean a word he said at the Gala. He did not plan to dance with Livia again tonight in her apartment. She did not know that though. As the driver pulled up to her large apartment building, Coriolanus contemplated even getting out to walk her upstairs. No, if this is to truly be your wife someday, you must treat her with kindness, he thought to himself. He gets out of the car and opens Livia's door for her. "Such a gentleman" she says blushing. Eventually, they found their way up to the Cardew penthouse on the top floor. "I have an idea for our dance" she said as she grabbed her keys to unlock the door. She didn't deserve this, she deserved someone that wanted to dance with her at all times of day. Livia grabs Coryo's hand and pulls him into the apartment. "Livia, I was actually thinking that I should get home. It's getting late" he said trying to get out. Livia turns to look at him, her smile that she wore turned to a slight frown. He felt a sadness deep down for her. "I'm sorry Liv, I am just worried about Grandma'am. She is in our apartment all day by herself" he says trying to find an excuse. He had never given her a nickname, not even as simple as Liv. "Okay, well while you're here can you at least help me with this dress?" she asked turning her back to him. Coriolanus looked around the empty apartment. "Is there no one else here?" he asked. "No, my parents are out doing business and we don't need the staff here 24/7 so they got the night off."
Was this her plan, to get him up to the empty apartment with her. He did miss the simple natured touch that always made him burn for Lucy Gray. Maybe Liv and him just needed to take their relationship a little further and he would actually find Livia to be good company.
He looked back to Livia with her back turned to him. Instead of going for the zipper he kissed the back of her neck gently. "Oh, Coriolanus-" she said surprised. He kept doing this hoping it would lead to maybe a passionate kiss. "What did I do this time to earn your affection?" He stops kissing her neck and turns her around to face him. "You didn't do anything, this is just because you deserve it" he says matter of factly. She smiles and leans up to him for a kiss. He doesn't want this to be some run of the mill kiss. He wants passion, dare he say love even. He grabs her waist and pulls her body up against his. They had never been this close before, always just sweet kisses and small hugs. Now their bodies pushed together, both wanting something from the other. Coriolanus wants her to feel his body, he takes her hands and puts them on his chest. Then he grabbed her cheek and pulled her in for a kiss. He kissed her hard, wanting to explore more of her. She opened her mouth to him and he dove in. Taking his tongue and running it over hers. Livia had never kissed anyone that way but she didn't seem to mind Coriolanus taking his liberty. She pulled away first, not exactly knowing what to do next. She looked so innocent, the girl that was willing to have her dress taken off by Coriolanus is not there anymore. Her cheeks turned a light shade of red. "Coryo, that was nice. Thank you for walking me up to my apartment" she said. He was nervous, did he take things too far. Was she upset with him. "Liv, that was okay? If it wasn't, just tell me. I don't want you to feel embarrassed around me." he said genuinely. He honestly didn't want her to be embarrassed around him. "Yes, it really was nice. I just don't think we should go any further tonight" she said with a small grin. He nodded, "of course, well then, good night Livia. Sleep well. I will see you on Monday." he said as he showed himself out of her apartment. As he walked back to the car he thought of her kiss. It wasn't as amazing as Lucy Grays kiss but she had more experience than Livia. Livia really was quite a lady, he didn't burn for her like he did for Lucy Gray. Lucy Gray could melt him with just a look. It would take much more for Livia to do the same to him. He knew that deep down Lucy Gray held his heart. He knew that even if he gave himself over to Livia a piece would forever belong to his Lucy Gray. He got back into the car. "Hey, driver. I left something at the Gala, would you mind driving back over so I could grab it." The driver nodded. He was an Avox so there wasn't going to be any fight in him. He pretty much had to do as he was told.
As the car pulled up to the game headquarters, the lights were dark, all of the cars that once sat in front of the building were gone as well. The party had ended but luckily for him the guest he needed to talk to was sitting on a bench outside of the building. Coriolanus told the driver to go home without him as he got out of the car. Coriolanus walked up to Lucy Gray and sat down next to her. She looked absolutely stunning in her black gown with the moonlight hitting her just right. He shook off this thought, he must not think of her like that anymore, he has Livia.
"You look nice tonight" she said to him breaking the silence. "Oh thank you" he said trying to be cordial. "So what do I need to do- to you know- keep you quiet?" he asked. She looked over at him. "Did you see the way I was auctioned off tonight?" she asked him. Of course he had, Dr. Gaul was trying to raise money for the games. "I noticed that you danced with multiple men" he said trying to avoid the question. Lucy Gray rolled her eyes, she knew he was avoiding the real matter here. "I want protection Coriolanus. I was lucky tonight that none of those boys tried to make any move on me. I'm sure my luck won't continue" she said bringing the dark matter to subject. He adjusted himself, the idea of another man trying to make Lucy Gray theirs, or a man forcing Lucy Gray into something made him angry. "I can do my best. At these events, you can always dance with me first. I could even be the one that picks the men out for you to dance with. I promise I will pick good men that will not harm you" he said reassuringly. She scoffs, "So instead of your boss selling me off to men, it will be you. Yes Coriolanus that's exactly what I want." He looks at her dumbfounded. "Well you're the stupid one that got caught! You're a prisoner of the Capitol now. You have to do this or they will torture you!" he said raising his voice at her. She shook her head. "You are so blind Coriolanus, I was already in District 13. I was living there for a month before the Capitol sent bombs down and asked for them to surrender me. They sent me out because they could not risk losing their peace deal with the Capitol" she said nearly in tear. He felt horrible, she was out. She had freedom for a month and then Dr. Gaul brought her back in. "How did they know you were there?" he asked. "Because of you! Your stupid plan to put aircraft's over the woods. After they couldn't find me in the woods they just assumed that I found 13" she said angry. He hated her like this, she resented him. He did so much for her in the games and protected her while in 12. "I should've killed you when I had the chance. You being here is ruining everything I have planned. You were supposed to die in 12 and then I was supposed to rise to power in the Capitol" he said through gritted teeth. "They destroyed you. I feel bad for you Coriolanus. You are so brainwashed that you don't even realize that you are the direct reason most people in the districts suffer everyday" she said. He hated her in this moment, he hasn't had to deal with anyone back talking him for the past 4 months. Now she shows up and has something to come back with every time. However, he was determined to win this battle. "Well how do you want me to protect you then" he asked.
"I want you to be my body guard. If any guy here gets too close or too handy with me, just step in...please" she says hoping he would agree to this. He nodded, he doesn't really have a choice. He has to do what she wants or he loses everything. "One more thing-" she says before he finished the conversation. He looked at her intrigued. "I don't want to be here anymore. I need help getting out" she said. "If you escape the Capitol they're just gonna hunt you down again" he said bluntly.
"No Coriolanus, I want out of Panem."