"I think it is best if we put this game on pause for now." Snow's teasing gaze settled between her eyes. "At least, before your nose is as red as your hair."

"You only really need to worry if it turns black." Hazel shrugged, not wanting him to avoid her question any longer. The man was like trying to trap water in the palm of your hand, easily evading even the tightest grasp with ease.

"While I appreciate the commitment. In a blizzard, no less. It will do little good if I allow our newest Victor to freeze to death or worse...He fixed her with a dazzling smile, "Become noseless." With a mischievous wink, he turned on his heel and strode away.

"Does this mean you owe me a favor?" Hazel called after him as he descended the incline.

"I don't think I specified how long I have to answer." He called over his shoulder, practically gliding away as if he knew she would follow. Not that she had much other choice. She shot one last withering look at the woods behind her. It was creaking and groaning with the pressure of the new precipitation.

Hazel grumbled at the sapling, "This is all your fault, you know." She huffed and pulled the sugar and rose-scented jacket tighter and started after Snow. Even with his head turned and walking several feet ahead, she knew he was smiling. Undeniably, he was winning this round.

Once he reached the vehicle, he turned back to her. She nearly slowed to a snail's pace just to annoy him but thought better of it. It was getting quite cold. Her drying sweat was like a housekey, unlocking her core body temperature and welcoming the frigidness inside her very bones. Despite herself and the smirking man before her, she sunk further into the warmth of the heavy garment.

"So, are you just going to keep making up new rules for our game when it suits you?"

He leaned his elbow against the roof. "You can take the Gamemaker out of the game, Miss Marlowe."

The annoyed shake of her head brought a confident laugh pouring out of him. He smiled widely again as he pulled the door open and waited for her to close the remaining distance.

"Well, at least it appears that I won't be noseless after all."

"I do prefer you with a nose." He tapped his gloved fingers on the door

She mumbled as she crawled inside. Sable was nearly comatose in the passenger seat next to the mayor's driver.

"Breaks almost over." She called to the front.

Sable didn't open his eyes as he addressed her. "You don't exist, and I can't hear you until we get back to the house."

Hazel huffed. She was on her own.

Snow slid in beside her and signaled to the driver, and the car rumbled forward.

As she leaned back, the maroon collar slid against her cheeks, and his scent strengthened its hold on her lungs. She was fairly certain it was permeating every crevice of the interior. "Speaking of noses. Are you using a new cologne or something?"

Snow's surprised stare met hers, and the intensity from the woods suddenly reignited. "Why do you ask?"

"You're...uh...coat." She stammered, "It smells different."

Snow's eyes sparkled in the dark confines of the car, "As opposed to my usual scent?"

Hazel coughed, running her finger over the sleeve, "Yeah."

"I didn't realize you were smelling me, Miss Marlowe."

Hazel turned her gaze to the window, her cheeks burning, "It's not like anyone could miss it. You are the only man I know who smells like roses."

His lips twitched, "I sure hope so."

Hazel couldn't look at him, placing one of her cold hands against her cheek.

"I am curious, though, what is different about my....cologne?" Despite his ribbing tone, he seemed genuinely interested in her observation.

"I'm not sure, but it's...it's sweeter."

Snow leaned back against his seat, eyes glittering, "Interesting."

She squirmed and turned back to the window again. The frozen District rolled by as hot embarrassment washed over her, and a searing blush rose along her neck. She considered the tempting alternative of just opening her door and throwing herself under the tires. "Forget I said anything."

A gloved hand suddenly slid over the arm of the coat, coming to rest on her forearm, "I assure you that I am not mocking you." He whispered, removing his hand when she immediately tensed. He sat back again, "I'm just surprised you noticed."

"So you've been shopping in the women's perfume section, then?"

"I'm evidently not the only one with a curiosity problem." He smiled wider, his voice dropping, "Does this count?"

She glanced at the front seat. The driver still had his attention glued to the road while Sable continued to rest, eyes closed, fully settled into his bubble of her temporary non-existence.

"Never mind." Hazel shook her head.

Snow appeared unsurprised by her response. A smirk tugged at his lips as he leaned back, tapping a long finger thoughtfully against his mouth.

Sable, Snow, and Hazel endured the rest of the journey in semi-awkward silence back to Victor's Village. Hazel's shivering subsided, and she had to admit to herself that she was partially grateful for the overwhelming floralness of the coat. Without it, the car would smell like partially frozen sweat and annoyance. But she would only admit that to herself.

The rough roads smoothed as they reached Victor's Village's border. As the mayor's vehicle pulled up to the front gates, Snow broke the silence, "Lovely home,"

He would know. Hazel's attention swept over the grand home before falling on the hibernating fountain and rose plants. "Yeah, it appears much effort went into the details of the design."

Snow's smile widened, and he nodded. She noted how he didn't deny it. The imposing house had transformed in the short time they had been gone. Everything was coated in a rapidly growing layer of glistening white. It covered the ground, the patio, and the roof. Even the streetlights looked like they were wearing little pearlescent hats. The home's interior seemed warmer and more welcoming. All of it was somehow suddenly more charming than before. She huffed. She wasn't going to admit that out loud, either.

She pushed open her door and tilted her head back, letting the delicate flakes coat her still-warm face. It was soft and light as it fell from the sky. Hazel swore it looked like powdered sugar being poured from the clouds. The first snowfall of the year had always been something she enjoyed, but at the moment, her typically enchanted mood was ruined by the weather's namesake smirking at her as he rounded the vehicle. She scrambled out before he offered her his hand again.

"It was generous of the mayor to lend you his car." She murmured as she closed the door behind her, hoping that the way she framed her sentence didn't count as a question.

Snow nodded, opening his palm, watching the flakes melt to nothing in his gloves. "Kettleberry is an old friend."

The Capitol and its Senators had several friends in her District, apparently. The flickering of a lamp in the only other occupied house down the street begged for her attention, but she refused, setting her eyes back on her own.

A flash of three red-cheeked faces peeked out from the front room's windows. Hazel caught Lily's cinnamon irises with her own, which grew a fraction bigger before ducking out of sight. "Seems you are quite popular around here."

Snow glanced at Heath's home, then Hazel, and then he looked out over the entirety of District Seven. She swore she heard him murmur, 'not as popular as I would like.'

He then appeared to notice the audience from within the house. There was another glimpse of Sage and the twins as Snow offered the three a confident wink, and they all disappeared once again.

If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. Please report it.

Sable mumbled as he neared the door, "Little spies."

"I have to admit, District Seven is different than the last time I was here."

A million questions surged through her at the comment. How often does he come here? "How so?"

"It's more beautiful." Snow looked back at her. "You know, with all the snow."

Hazel caught a teasing light in his eyes as she trudged closer to the French doors. "I prefer summer."

"That's funny because this morning, you couldn't stop talking about how beautiful it was," Sable cut in. "If I remember right, you said something about not letting a bit of snow stop you before dragging me out the door."

Snow's eyes flashed with a mischievous light.

Hazel fought back a surging blush once again. "I thought you couldn't hear me."

"My break's over."

Snow's soft laugh interrupted the sizzling death glare she was fixing on Sable.

Sable's mouth was a straight line, but his eyes danced at her reaction. This was undoubtedly payback for making him run.

A subtle squeak permeated the frosty air as the peacekeepers' cottage door opened, and Leo emerged carrying a steaming mug. His eyes grew serious at the sight of the Senator, and he bowed forward. "Senator Snow."

Snow acknowledged him with a tilt of his head. "Good Morning, Private Drayton."

Sable cleared his throat, "Come on, Sir. Ma'am. Before you all freeze."

"You go ahead, private. Ensure Miss Marlowe gets warm." Snow replied. Hazel turned back to him as he stepped closer with a cursory glance at the windows.

"Where are you going?" Hazel whispered.

Snow reached forward, pulling Hazel's hands into his once again. She froze, fighting the way her muscles twitched.

"Going to miss me?" Bending forward, his eyes skimmed over the flush of her skin as he brought her hand to his mouth. His lips brush against her knuckles, leaving a light kiss on her frigid skin.

She could practically hear the muted yet staccato murmuring of her siblings through the walls. Hazel tugged her hands away, whispering, "Feel free to be late, Senator."

"In your dreams," Snow whispered back as his gaze lingered on her pink cheeks.

Hazel's stomach dropped like she had swallowed a handful of stones.

"Oh, right." He leaned forward until his lips brushed her ear, "I'm already there too, aren't I?"

Of course, he'd heard her sleep talk. Deep down, she had known, but hearing him say it aloud...Her stomach somersaulted; the weight was like the clashing storm clouds above. "Just my nightmares, Senator," She breathed just loud enough for him to hear.

"Pity our little game doesn't have a rule against self-deception." Snow leaned back with a triumphant smile, nodded to the peacekeepers, and strolled toward the waiting car. As he ducked inside, he called back, "See you at dinner, Miss Marlowe."

Leo and Sable bent dutifully as he disappeared while Hazel stood stationary. As the vehicle began to roll away, she wanted to disappear. Maybe she could just lay down and let the snow bury her. But she knew that if she didn't start moving, she risked Sable dragging her inside by her ankles.

Leo's eyes lingered on her as she pulled the coat tighter around her neck, hoping the collar could also shield her rosy face from her rapidly growing audience. His eyes slid over the coat before he turned his attention to Sable, "How was the run?"

Sable fixed him with a rigid look, "What do you think?"

Leo buried a chuckle in another long drag of coffee as the three shook off the snow. Sable practically pushed the two into the entry room. "I know you aren't on duty until tonight, but can you take over for an hour? This old man is going to take a shower."

Leo agreed as Sable slipped outside once again while Leo closed the wide doors. Several pairs of eyes, wide and prying, met them upon entry. Sage, Lily, and Linden huddled on the couches as if they hadn't just been eavesdropping. Heavenly wisps of bacon, toast, and eggs perfumed the space.

"Everything all right, darling?" Fern was almost successful in her attempt at masking her concern as she leaned over the stove with a spatula.

"Everything is fine, mom," Hazel assured. If fine meant anything but fine.

"Doesn't seem fine." Rowan's voice came from the top of the stairs. He practically glared at the maroon material draped over her, and the white rose in her hand.

Hazel crammed the flower in one of the pockets and pulled off the luxurious coat with haste.

"Seems the Senator is in town early," Oren called as he entered the room, nursing a cup of coffee and snagging a piece of toast. "Better get down to the mill. Make sure everyone's doing their best at looking busy."

"They don't have to pretend." Rowan bit out with clear bitterness in his tone, "Not with the quotas now."

Oren paused mid-sip to lock eyes with his son before downing what was left in the cup.

"Why don't I come with you?" Rowan asked.

Oren didn't look at him, "Stay here, help your mother."

Rowan scoffed, "Why do you go then? None of us have to work anymore, but you go every day. You could just have Pilner take over."

"Row," Hazel coughed. He had never been this outright confrontational.

Oren kissed Fern on the cheek before gathering his lunch pail, coat, and mug of fresh coffee before heading out to the door.

Oren shot Rowan a glance, "Stay out of trouble." His stare drifted to Hazel, "Both of you."

Without another word, Oren disappeared into the snow while Rowan stormed up the stairs.

Fern's eyes met hers, and she let her shoulders relax. "I'll talk to him."

Her mother breathed out a long, tired sigh as she called the three youngest to the table. It was going to be a long day for all of them.

Just as Hazel stepped foot on the first stair, she turned back to Fern, "Oh, Mom, are you still going to make that dish I asked you about for dinner tonight?"

Fern nodded with a slightly confused smile, "Yes, darling. You know, I didn't realize your favorite dish had changed."

It hadn't.

"Thanks, Mom."

Leo's gaze wandered back and forth between Hazel and the breakfast table. He drifted toward her, fingers tapping a scattered rhythm along the sides of his cup.

"Get some breakfast, Leo."

Leo stepped closer, and the aroma of coffee replaced the floral scent as it encircled them. His eyes flickered to the folded coat draped over her arm. "Are you really all right?"

"Yeah, all good." Hazel smiled softly, but she knew it didn't fully reach her eyes.

Leo nodded, but his face tensed like he was on the verge of saying something more.

"Relax. I only try to escape when Sable's on duty. Since you're here, I'll wait till he gets back to make a run for it."

Leo's shoulders eased a bit, and with a soft chuckle and a playful nudge to her arm, he gave in. Fern had already set a plate for him, and he smiled in thanks as he sat down across from the youngest. Linden passed him the pepper with a grin as he barraged him with questions about the life of a peacekeeper.

Hazel nearly laughed as she made it to the top of the stairs; Fern was scolding Linden for talking with his mouth full. By the time she got to Rowan's door, it was already shut. She rapped her knuckles against the surface.

"What?" A rough voice called.

"Row, It's me," Hazel spoke to the closed door.

After some rustling sounds, the lock clicked as it was unlatched. Hazel pressed the door open. The starkness of the room was still alarming. Yet there was something new resting on the desk. A framed photograph.

Hazel knew the day it was taken well. Rowan was the same age as the twins. His first shift as a lumberjack. Hazel, Silus, and Rowan were standing in a wide clearing, smiles plastered on their faces. A pile of felled trees was in the background, and axes were resting on their shoulders.

"Are you ok?" Hazel started, her heart aching at the clear pain Rowan was desperately masking.

Rowan was tucking several crumpled papers in the journal. "Are you?"

"I know things have been hard. If I could change it, I would."

Rowan sighed, "I don't need you to apologize to me."

Silus's smiling eyes staring back at her from his picture frame tore at her heart. What was worse was Rowan's bright smile. How different would things have been if Silus had made it home instead of her? "I'm not so sure about that."

"Haze, don't." Rowan's voice cracked.

"Don't be so hard on him. He's just trying to help you, help all of us."

Rowan snorted, "He can't undo what he's done."

"So you are angry with him for trying to do better?" Hazel sighed. It appeared that Rowan was irritated that Oren had made mistakes to begin with, and even more so now that he was trying to correct them.

"Yeah, I guess."

"None of us can go back. At least he's doing what he can now."

"You don't have to defend him," Rowan's eyes were like stale caramel, rigid and yet on the verge of crumbling, "You have more reason than any of us not to forgive him."

"It's not all his fault." Hazel swallowed. While Rowan and her family didn't know the truth about her Victory or Snow, they did understand Heath had fed information to the Capitol.

"Maybe not, but it doesn't mean I will ever forget." Rowan stared at the picture on his desk.

"Now, we have a Capitol Senator at our doorstep and peacekeepers at our dining room table." Silence stretched between them as Hazel took in his words.

Hazel stepped closer, wanting to wrap her arms around her little brother, but at the same time, she was still covered in a layer of drying, partially thawed sweat. Not to mention practically doused in rose-scented cologne.

"You need to be more cautious around them." Rowan was still staring at his new picture.

Hazel shot him a questioning look, "They are assigned to protect me, protect us."

Rowan shook his head, his curls bounced as he did so as if they too disagreed with her reasoning, "Maybe, but their loyalties will always lie with the Capitol." Rowan met her eyes once again, "With Snow."

She had grown somewhat fond of her three guards and even enjoyed their company at times. But there was always that invisible wall between them—one at times she forgot about or, maybe, more honestly, wished didn't exist at all. "You're right." She still wasn't ready to talk about that with him. Not yet. "But I'm not the only one who needs to be careful, though, am I?" She let out a soft breath, her voice dropping to a whisper. "Where have you been going? You've always been an early bird, but you've been gone before anyone else most mornings."

"Didn't think you'd notice. You've never been a morning person." Rowan struggled with the slight smirk at the edge of his lips.

"Can't sleep," Hazel replied, pressing a finger against her bandaged left hand.

He tapped the surface of his desk idly.

Hazel dropped her voice even lower, "Where have you been going?"

"To see Silus." He sucked in a shaky breath.

"Where else?" Hazel picked at the edges of her bandage. Rowan's eyes found hers as she continued, "I've been to the cemetery, and you weren't there."

His face tightened, his eyes dropping back to his desk again, "I've been going for walks. I need time to myself sometimes."

"You've been walking in the woods?"

Rowan nodded.

Hazel let go of her bandage and closed the door behind her before turning back to her brother. "Have you seen anything... unusual out there?"

Rowan straightened at the change in her behavior, "Like what?"

Hazel's voice dropped, "Do you remember a couple of weeks ago when the doctors came here? To evaluate me?"

Rowan searched her face, "Yeah, why?"

Hazel paused, "I saw something..." She bit her lip, pushing away the memory of honey-speckled eyes in the early morning light, "Or at least I thought I did. But I am not totally sure it was real..."

"What did you see?"

Hazel bit down harder on her lip; fear of how he might react coursed through her. Would he think she was insane?

A rapid knock followed by the door opening made Hazel jump. Leo stood in the threshold, "Marlowe, you have company."

"He wasn't gone long," Hazel said.

Rowan let out an annoyed puff of air as Leo clarified, "It's not the Senator."

"Who?" Rowan asked, crossing his arms over his chest.

Leo's stare flickered to Rowan and then back to her. "Festus Creed and Indira Lovegood."