The Nightmares Hidden in Dreams - A Hunger Games Fan Fiction

Free

One morning, I wake without the usual sense of dread clinging to me, dampening the rest of my day. It was a night free of nightmares, and a morning free of nausea.

And the reminder that I'm pregnant doesn't weigh as heavily today.

Peeta senses the difference in my mood, and he brightens considerably at the sight of my contentment.

I grab a cheese bun and chew it thoughtfully while tracing small circles over my abdomen.

"We should do something," I propose enthusiastically. "I feel like we haven't gone out and done something in forever."

"What were you thinking?" Peeta asks, meeting my excitement.

I gaze out the window, staring at the cloudless sky, that morning blue that matches Peeta's eyes perfectly. "We could go to the lake. It's warm enough that we can swim, and we can bring food."

Peeta grins, smile brighter than the sun shining through the window. "Sounds perfect."

➳➳➳

It's late morning, but the air is already nearly unbearably hot and humid. I'm sticky with sweat, and we keep having to stop so I can catch my breath. But even though we're both sweaty, Peeta never lets go of my hand.

Merely the sight of the murky water of the lake is a massive relief. The air is cooler near the water, though just as heavy.

I immediately drop Peeta's hand, and he makes a mock expression of hurt, as though my letting go of him physically ails him.

Smirking at him, I pull my—really his—shirt over my head and step out of my shorts. Peeta ogles at me unabashedly, looking me up and down. My cheeks flush, and not from the heat.

Peeta slowly strips until he's wearing nothing but boxers. I stare appreciatively, envious of his clothes for getting to cling to him all day.

"Race you!" I shout, already running towards the dock, prepared to cannonball into the cool water.

"Not fair," Peeta yells, trying to keep pace. "You got a head start."

"I deserve one," I counter. "I'm carrying your child, after all."

He laughs, and the sound brings me to laughter too.

My feet meet the end of the dock, and I push off, pulling my knees to my chest, as I sink into the water.

I surface and push my hair out of my face, clutching the dock while I catch my breath. Two feet are at my eye level, one flesh, the other a plastic and metal imitation. I look up in confusion, squinting at the sun that forms a halo around Peeta's head.

"Jump in," I tell him.

He smiles mischievously. "Okay." He backs up as if to take a running start.

I realize his intention a second too late.

I shriek as Peeta just misses jumping on top of me. When he comes up for air, I send a wave of water in his face. He coughs and looks at me innocently.

"You know I wasn't going to jump on you."

I splash him again, "It still wasn't funny."

Peeta takes a turn splashing me, and this initiates a battle between the two of us to see who can splash the other more.

"Truce!" I shout, trying to push myself onto the dock to get out of the lake. But the extra weight leaves me hanging awkwardly, feet still submerged. "Now can you help me?" I mutter, continuing my struggle with the dock.