This was my very first drabble that I wrote. I was nominated on tumblr by TitaniaFics to write a drabble with the beginning sentence "Come on, give me one good reason not to jump in the lake."

It is unbetaed - all mistakes are mine.


"Come on, give me one good reason not to jump in the lake," Peeta calls out, standing on the edge of the dock.

"I can give you several reasons," Katniss yells back in exasperation. She's currently standing beside their car, with her arms folded across her chest. "It's dark, the water will be freezing and you don't know how to swim."

"That's just a technicality - besides it's not that deep," he defends protruding his head out over the dock to look into the dark and murky water. "Come on where's your sense of adventure?" He asks playfully looking back at her.

"It's still sitting in your mother's house, along with my dignity," she tells him dryly as she starts walking towards him.

Peeta sighs in knowing frustration. "You know what my mother's like. She's an angry and twisted woman - and that was before my father left her."

"Yeah lucky us," she shares sarcastically. "While your father is living it up with some 30 year old mail order bride, we're stuck here with the unpleasant and enhanced version of the bitter witch," she spits out in annoyance.

As Katniss reaches his side they both look out over the lake without a word, just letting the horrible events that happened earlier in the evening sink in. They both love coming here and it's been that way since they were children. In fact that's how they met, right here on this dock. Both were trying to escape from the misery and pressure from their dysfunctional families. They eventually became a safe haven for each other, a place where they didn't have to be afraid and they could be themselves. They protected each other and still do.

Right now, the lake looks peaceful in the darkness with the quietness and the moonlight bouncing off the water like it's filled with shimmering diamonds. Katniss feels Peeta move his body behind hers and gently wrap his strong and muscular arms around her, his chin rests softly on her shoulder. As she feels his warm breath on her neck and the rise and fall of his chest she begins to relax.

"I'm sorry about what my mother said to you," he murmurs against her skin. "You don't have to worry, we won't be seeing her again.

Katniss moves her head to the side to look at him, she raises her eyebrows in doubt.

"I mean it," he assures her, his voice determined and strong. "I won't let her speak to us that way anymore."

"She's still your mother."

Peeta gently tucks a piece of hair that's fallen out of her braid behind her ear. "She's a woman who gave birth to me – she's not a mother. But you –" he reaches down and places his hand under her shirt and splays it across her lower belly gently. Love and admiration reflect off his face as his bright eyes gaze into hers. "You will be a loving and wonderful mother. Our child is lucky to have you.

Katniss feels a stray tear roll down her face as she stares at him intently. Peeta gives her a caring smile and wipes away the tear with a calloused thumb. "I won't let her toxic character and her poisonous words be a part of our lives anymore – especially with this little one coming," he affirms.

Katniss nods her head and pulls out of his arms. Walking backwards a few steps she begins to take off her jacket and slip out of her shoes.

"What are you doing?" Peeta asks in surprise.

"We're going to celebrate our newfound freedom from your mother," she tells him.

Peeta looks at her confusingly. "How?"

"Do you trust me, Peeta?" She asks him, holding out her hand.

"Always," Peeta responds automatically.

Katniss gives him a playful smile. "Then take off your jacket and your shoes and come jump in the lake with me."

With a mischievous grin Peeta quickly takes off his jacket and shoes and reaches for Katniss' hand. Stepping up to the edge of the dock they turn to look at each other in excitement.

"Together?" Katniss asks

"Together," Peeta repeats back.

Holding on tightly they take a leap, breaking the surface of the water in love and triumph.