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𝗪𝗘𝗘𝗣𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗪𝗛𝗜𝗦𝗣𝗘𝗥𝗦

chapter twelve !

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The wilderness was a peaceful place for June to restore her spirit, it was the perfect area to have time to herself without any body disturbing her.

She normally received all of her song ideas from there; when in the woods or forest, she would often come up with the best lyrics.

She sat on a chopped down tree trunk and strummed her guitar, playing through the melodies. "Are you, are you coming to the tree.

Where they strung up a man, they say who murdered three. Strange things did happen here no stranger would it be. If we met at midnight in the hanging tree."

As the girl focused on he singing, from behind her she heard a twig snap. She turned around alarmed to the sound.

To her surprise, Coriolanus Snow stood behind her about to take another step closer to her.

"They said I might find you out here." He explained. Juniper dusted off her blue dress as she set her guitar down, and got to her feet.

"I apologise. I have one foot in the arena, still." She laughs as she shrugs her shoulders. Coriolanus smiled as she laughed, the two stood facing one another.

They hadn't seen each other since the incident at the barn but now it was like nothing had even happened.

The air felt warm around them, the sun shined it's light on both their faces.

Coriolanus could feel the warmth on his skin, he felt a feeling he hadn't felt in a long time.

He walked over towards June and pulled her in for a hug, taking a deep breath of her presence.

"What made you come back?" Coriolanus asks tucking her hair behind her ear.

"Well your Dean Highbottom had made me come back, he sent me home." Juniper says as she fixes the skirt if her dress.

"Wait, Highbottom sent you.. back?" Coriolanus frowns as he asks slowly.

June not taking the hint replies, "Yeah, he paid me and then put me on a train, which led me here." She smiles as she twirls, her skirt flowing with the wind shaking off the pattern.

Juniper looks up to realise the look on Coriolanus's face, "Why? Is there something wrong?" She asks looking up at him.

"No, no." Coriolanus's gaze shifts back to hers. "But it was weird because he told me that he sent you to District 8." June adds.

Coriolanus's expression darkened as he absorbed the information, "Uh yeah, I somehow convinced them to send me here." He tries to laugh off.

"But why did they send you away in the first place?" June asks as she gracefully holds onto his hands by his fingertips. "I broke the rules." He smiles at the thought of his he risked everything for her.

June noticed a hint of honesty and vulnerability as she stared into Coriolanus's eyes. His touch carried the weight of his confession, "But I did it for you."

She finally realised why they were drawn to one another in spite of their differences at that same time. They really, truly loved each other — even if it was hard to admit. They were in love.

June lifted her hand without hesitation, softly cupping Coriolanus' cheek, her touch warm and calming. "You're not alone, Coriolanus."

Coriolanus's eyes softened, gratitude and relief washing over him. He leaned in, resting his forehead against June's, their connection deepening as their breaths mingled.

In that tender moment, time seemed to stand still. The weight of their pasts slipped away as they found solace and understanding in each other's presence.

While they were being to busy in their own world, Lucy Gray called for Juniper warning them about the peacekeepers approaching, "They can't see us together." Coriolanus sighs.

Their foreheads still pressed against once another, "There's a lake in the woods." June whispered — her voice softer than usual. "I can take you there — nobody else knows except the Covey."

"Meet me here tomorrow, at this time." June lifted her hand to gently cup Coriolanus's cheek, her touch warm and comforting. "That way we'll be free." She smiles at the thought of them finally being alone.

"Thank you, my love." Coriolanus nodded, his heart swelling. They slowly pull apart, Coriolanus leaving a kiss on her rosy lips before leaving up the hill. She watches him leave, her finger on lips from where he previously kissed her — trying to take in the moment.

𓆙

Juniper and Coriolanus walked down the path, holding hands, walking behind Lucy Gray and Willow. They can already hear the Covey down at the lake.

He separated their hands and whirled her around in his.  June chuckled as she spun around, her dress spinning with her. As she went gently, Coriolanus kissed her and placed his arms around her smaller form. 

Their laughter filled the air, a moment of pure joy and freedom. They had found the lake in the woods, a place where they could be themselves without fear or judgment. The lake shimmered in the sunlight, its waters calm and inviting.

Lucy Gray and Willow watched with knowing smiles, understanding the significance of this moment for June and Coriolanus

To Willow, it felt nice to her sister so happy again. After the games Juniper never was the same but once she was reunited with Coriolanus again, her spark was lit.

Juniper was the first to take her clothing off, eager to already get into the water, then Coriolanus copied her. As they approached the lake, Coriolanus took June's hand in his, intertwining their fingers and squeezing gently.

They both jumped into the water, after the Covey and Lucy Gray. Juniper rose up to the water's edge, her head breaching the surface.

Coriolanus laughed at her, and she stared at him playfully as she sprayed water in his entire face.  He barely splattered her on the back.  June swam behind him and held to him, legs snaking around his chest and arms around his neck, when he turns his back on her.

Her chin lay on his right shoulder. They remained in this position, watching the others have fun in the water. The sun set perfectly in the sky and clouds were no where in sight.

It was those moments that Juniper enjoyed, she liked to soak in the sun and just let herself free. It was the right time to relax and not worry about life.

— alisha has something to say !

hooray, another chapter done and dusted. these start is the better part of this chapter... i like when their in love and not at each other throats :)

aaweve another chapter is out !