Work Text:
Lenore Dove was sure that she could sit in the sun for the rest of her life. It was the most peaceful she was sure she would manage to be, surrounded by her geese and the breeze in the trees. It was the closest she could get to freedom without her Uncles worrying about her. And the last thing she wanted any of them to do these days was worry.
She was sure she’d be causing plenty of worry that afternoon, as she’d be heading out to the lake. But she’d promised them a dozen times over that she’d be back before it got too late. And that she’d come back, something that they always seemed to worry she might not do.
Which… she didn’t quite blame then, either. Sometimes, she could stay there for hours, trying to hide from the rest of the world. She could wander at times, get lost in the woods that she wasn’t familiar with. A handful of times, they had had to send Burdie after her to make sure she made it home before it got too dark.
But today, there was an entire reason for just what she was doing. There was no wandering off the path, no getting lost. A picnic. A date. A day with the love of her life. And she was just all too excited for it.
She'd been up far too early, getting too dolled up in one of her dresses. It was a pretty purple, one that used to belong to her Aunt when she’d been her age, one that would be perfect for the trip. She’d packed a bag for lunch, little things that they could snack on instead. A book, the food, a blanket, everything they would need for a little picnic by the lake. They could spend all day up there, just the two of them, without a care in the world, with just those things and each other.
It was all she could ask for, at the end of the day. All she wanted was a few hours alone with the boy that she loved more than anything. Sure, they saw each other at school all of the time. He would often walk her home. She’d get to spend some time at his house and at hers, together. But there was always someone else. It never felt like just for them. And that was all she wanted.
Her eyes stayed locked, though, on the forest just beyond the fencing. She’d disappear out there in a heartbeat if she could. She loved her home, she loved her people. But sometimes, there was something so comforting about being out there. Free from the reaches of the world. Free from the reaches of the Capitol. Even if things were better than they once had been, it still didn’t feel like enough. She still wasn’t free to roam as her people had once.
It was something she’d always dreamed about. She figured it was the exact reason that she’d always loved being able to head out into the woods. She could pretend she was on her way somewhere far away. Another district, a land out of the reach of Panem, alongside her Covey, which was the smallest that it had ever been. She wanted that so deeply, even though she was sure she’d always be stuck.
There were worse places to be, she knew. She was loved, she was loved so greatly by her Covey, by Haymitch, that none of it would ever matter. She had her geese, she had her books, she still had her music. But sometimes, sometimes the offer of the woods was too tempting.
The honking from her geese was enough to pull her attention back. It wasn’t anything out of the ordinary. They’d always been far too vocal for their own good. But it wasn’t right in front of her where they’d been. It was turned instead behind her, focused on something else now.
She shifted on her spot on her boulder, twisting as she caught sight of just who they were honking away toward. Her smile grew at the sight alone, the sight which only made her heart swell like no other. Haymitch.
He looked as handsome as ever, a messy set of curls seeming to be bouncing as he made his way down the hill toward her. There was a fistful of flowers in his hands, ones that she was sure he’d snagged on his walk over. Some that she was sure were wild onions rather than actual flowers, which always made her heart grow that much fonder.
The moment they locked eyes, she was sure that she could melt. Even as he stepped around the geese, cursing softly under his breath as one of them grabbed at his shoelace. “These things are gonna kill me one of these days, baby.”
“They won’t hurt my heart like that, Darlin’,” she called out, smiling as he made his way closer to her. “These for me?”
“‘Course,” he hummed, pausing just long enough to lean down and steal a kiss as he passed over the flowers. “Had to bring somethin’ for my rare and radiant girl.”
Her eyes rolled fondly at the description, even though it always made her heart thud away in her chest. She didn’t know how she’d gotten so lucky when it came to him. And she didn’t think it ever would.
The sound of footsteps caught her attention, her stomach sinking almost immediately. Was she already about to be called back home? Had Clerk Carmine already changed his mind?
“Right, I should’ve said somethin’ first,” Haymitch started, his body half-blocking her view. “But then I wasn’t sure how I could tell you. Because I know you were really lookin’ forward to it.”
She shifted just enough, tilting her head and taking in the sight, fully expecting her Uncle to be standing there. Instead, she was met with a matching head of curls that was far lower to the ground than Haymitch's. And a same fistful of flowers in a smaller hand.
“Hi, Lenore Dove.”
She could have melted at the offered flowers, reaching to take them and add them to the ones in her hand. “That’s real sweet of you, Sid. Thank you, doll.” Her free hand reached out to tap his nose, earning a giggle from the sweet boy.
“Ma asked if I could take him with us,” Haymitch started, the apology written all over his face. “She had a lot to get finished for work. We can reschedule if you want, know it wasn’t what you had in mind.”
Her head shook at the offer, giving him a reassuring smile. “It’s alright,” she promised him. “It’s a long hike, though. You’re sure that you’re up for it?”
Sid nodded at the question, a small bounce in his stance as he looked up to her. “I can walk real good. I got my good walkin’ shoes on.”
She smiled at his words before she moved to her feet, listening to the honks coming from her geese. “Then I see no reason in waiting if that’s the case,” she spoke with a hum. She reached into her bag, shifting to stand from her rock. “Cup your hands for me,” she told the younger. Once he had, she poured corn into his hands, smiling at the sight of him. “If you’ll take this over there, and give a few spins, it’ll give us enough time to get goin’ before they try and follow us.”
“Okay!” Sid was filled with giggles as he made his way over to the geese, starting to spin just as he’d been told.
“I’m sorry. I tried all I could,” Haymitch’s voice was soft as she reached to grab her bag. “I know it’s not what we had in mind.” He reached to take it from her hand, settling it easily over his shoulder.
“It’s perfect,” she promised him, shifting on her toes to press a kiss to his lips. “It’s okay, Hay, I promise. We’ll have fun.” Her hand offered out, taking his far larger one into hers. She squeezed them tight, giving him a reassuring nod. “It’ll be great.”
Another laugh left Sid as he was wiping his hands together before bounding down toward them. “Don’t know why you’re so scared of them, Hay,” he laughed, looking up to his older brother. “They’re not even scary.”
“They’re playin’ nice because you have corn.” Haymitch’s free hand ruffled his little brother’s curls before he nodded toward the fence. “C’mon. Gotta keep up with us.”
It took a bit of coaxing to even manage to convince Sid that he would be okay if he climbed underneath it. But the moment that he was, she could have believed that he had never belonged anywhere else. His eyes were as wide as ever, practically chasing after everything that passed them.
He was far braver than he had been when she’d first ducked underneath the fencing. Burdock had practically had to drag her out there, and even then, she’d barely taken any steps away from the fence. It’d taken her weeks before she’d wandered further. But here Sid was, seeming like he’d always been out there.
But he was at least staying on the small trail they’d made over the years. It wasn’t a proper trail, by any means, with how overgrown most of it was. But it felt like a clear path that they were used to at this point.
Tam Amber had led her up there when they’d finally felt she was capable of making the walk on her own. Clerk Carmine hadn’t let her out of his sight for most of it, calling after her if she stepped one toe off the trail. They always worried about her, but over the years, they trusted her just enough. But even then, her eyes were trailing after every move that Sid was making ahead of them.
She felt silly, in a way, the way that their hands were swinging all laced together. It was the kind of movement that felt ridiculous, that she’d never be able to explain. But she loved every moment of it. Every now and then, Haymitch would pull her hand up toward his lips, pressing a few kisses to her skin.
“Gonna get to stay late?” She asked, almost hopeful at the idea. It’d been far too long since he’d been able to. She’d get lucky sometimes, where she’d get to settle in his lap on the back porch. The two of them could sit and watch the stars above, pointing out the constellations she recognized. It was a rare moment they could be so affectionate, even though Clerk Carmine always seemed to know the moment they’d try to kiss.
“That’s the hope,” Haymitch assured, squeezing her hand tight in his. “Might see if I can drop him off, just the two of us.”
It’d be nice. At least a few moments together between them both. “I don’t mind. He’s a real good student, he learns quicker than you,” she teased, watching his eyes roll fondly. “Long as I get to spend it with you, baby, I’m happy however.”
He nodded in agreement, shifting to press another kiss to her skin. “I know. Just… wanna at least have a little us time.” It was sweet. He was sweet. He’d always been all too good to her. “You know how he gets when we start kissin’.”
A laugh left her at the thought, nodding her head in agreement. She’d heard it endless times from the young boy, the way that he would groan or giggle or a soft “ewww” that felt like it would echo around them. It always made her smile, though, the way he still adored being around them. “I’ll take any time with you I can have. I don’t care how that is.”
His smile settled at that, leaning to press a kiss to her temple. “That’s all I need.” It was exactly how it felt. Each other. Together. There was nothing else that either of them would ever need. “I missed you.”
“You saw me yesterday,” she reminded, a soft laugh leaving her. But she knew exactly what he meant. One of those days, they wouldn’t have to say goodbye at night. One of those days, she wouldn’t have to wait for him to be able to come by. They’d wake up next to one another and fall back asleep together just the same. And she couldn’t wait for just that.
“Yeah,” he agreed, eyes forward on his brother as he bounced along the trail a few yards ahead. “Way too long ago.” His hand shifted, lifted, twisting her there in her stop to spin her out. “You look real pretty, y’know?”
Her cheeks flushed as she took a few careful steps, tucking back in next to him with a soft laugh. “You’re always sayin’ stuff like that.”
“I only say it ‘cause it’s true.” True. He was honest about everything, as far as she’d ever known. He’d always made sure that she knew all of those things, just how he felt about it all. How he felt about her. “Prettiest girl in the world.”
“You stop all that,” Lenore Dove laughed, rolling her eyes fondly at that. Though her cheeks felt even warmer then, shaking her head as she squeezed his fingers as tightly as she could. “You’re gonna make your brother barf if he hears you.”
“It’s just Burdie who threatens that,” he reminded, shaking his head as he looked back to her. His smile only seemed to grow at the sight of her. “But now he’s all starry-eyed over Asterid.”
“We’ll just have to threaten to puke on him then,” she teased, the two of them filled with some soft giggle that was shared between them. “That’ll teach him.”
“That brain of yours.” He’d always compliment her about it, always praised her every step of the way. And she knew how lucky she was that he thought so highly of her like that. “I love you.”
“Like?” She asked, raising her brows playfully as she looked up to him.
“Hm,” he hummed, as if he was truly thinking over the question itself. He knew exactly the answer. The two of them had said it over and over again, countless times. “Some kind of fire.”
“Forest fire.”
“Grease fire.”
“That don’t sound right,” Lenore Dove shook her head, smiling at the thought. “House fire?”
“Nah,” he tsked at the idea, tilting his head back as he thought about it. “All-fire?”
“Hm.” She giggled, watching as he tucked his head to not get whacked by a passing tree branch. “Don’t know. But I like how it sounds.”
“Me too,” he chuckled, shifting to press a kiss to her knuckles once more. “Think we should use it, actually.”
She nodded in agreement, shifting her grip on him. It was the strongest she could be, enough of a pull to bring him to a stop in his steps. She brought him in closer, meeting him halfway to steal a kiss from him.
“Hay!” The call of his brother’s voice caused a soft groan to leave him, pulling apart just long enough. He bumped their foreheads together, noses nudging against one another, just wanting to stay right where he was. “Hay!”
“Comin’!” Haymitch called, pressing a kiss to her nose before he let go of her hand. He started ahead of her, catching up with his brother where he had stopped.
She wasn’t surprised by the reaction as she caught up. The first sight of the lake could cause just that. She was sure her own had a few expletives thrown in, ones that had caused her Uncles to try not to burst into laughter at.
“Go teach him,” she spoke, moving to take the bag from him, smiling between the two of them. “Make sure you listen, it’s real important.”
The boy didn’t have to be told twice, practically rushing out down the hill toward the lake itself. Haymitch did his best to keep up, following close to his brother and trying to make sure he didn’t just leap in on his own. She moved far slower, just taking in the sight of it all with a smile.
It was one of her favorite spots. She and Haymitch had spent hours up here, tucked away from the world. It made her feel like the two of them were alone, like there was nothing that could reach or harm them. They’d cuddle in the cabin, getting to pretend, even if for just a few hours, that it was their own place.
She took her time, getting the blanket she’d brought along to lay across the warm grass. She always settled in the same spot, one that they could get lost in the tall grass around them. It was perfect, the slightest bit of shade from the trees above, but just enough of the sun there to warm their skin.
She kept her eyes on the brothers, the way that Haymitch was keeping as close as he could to the younger. He was careful with each step, not letting him get too far out of his reach, or even that far out in the water. The sight had her all too content, watching the two of them going over the steps of what he needed to do.
She could get used to the sight itself, honestly. The simplicity of it all, how good things could be. Maybe one day, the two of them would wander up there with their own little one, teaching them how to enjoy the lake the same way that they had. Their kids would love nature, would love the way the water lapped their toes and the way that the sun would warm them. They’d love the sound of the birds flying high above, squawking away the songs that she’d teach them.
It was a life she was looking forward to. A life that felt just within reach. A life that the two of them were just waiting for a few more years until they made it possible. One that she honestly couldn’t wait for.
They’d talked about it plenty, the days spent lazily curled up with one another. A future that seemed so far away but somehow also just… so within her reach. There was nothing more she wanted in this life than for it to maybe come true.
She’d never thought much about it, at least not until Haymitch. And he’d always made it well known his thoughts on it. He was happy as long as she was happy. Whatever that looked like. Kids, no kids, pets, a life never married, or a life married the first moment they legally could. All he wanted, at the end of it all, was a life with her. And knowing that, knowing that someone could love her so much like that? She’d never be able to understand it.
It was a good day, that much she knew. A day that she was content with, even if the day had changed from what she had been expecting. Eventually, she’d crawled off the picnic blanket and joined them in the lake. It’d been something in itself, trying to keep Sid from floating too far away and wandering from them.
He’d certainly gotten better, though he’d kept a tight grip on both of their hands throughout the day. A few more trips up there together, she had no doubt that he’d be splashing around and jumping from the end of the dock on his own. The two of them wouldn’t be able to pull him out of the water without it being like pulling some teeth.
They’d eventually managed to coax him out, despite getting splashed a few times in response. But it’d been filled with giggles, with smiles, a sight that only made her heart swell. Even as the two of them shook their curls like a wet dog in tandem, something that had caused her to laugh even harder at just how alike they were.
“I’ll get a fire goin’,” Haymitch offered, smiling at the two of them as he tugged the shoelace from around his neck. There sat that pretty flintstriker that she’d gotten him, one that she adored, how closely he wore it to his heart. It was a way to keep her with him, no matter how far apart they were.
“Thank you.”
“Don’t go too far.” He tucked down to press a kiss to her lips before he started over toward the cabin. He’d at least not have to use the axe, a good stack of wood still set up from the last time they’d been up with Burdock and Asterid.
Her eyes rolled fondly, turning her attention to the young boy, who was slowly drying by way of the sun. They’d spent hours out there before, lying on the boards of the dock and letting the water disappear from their skin. They wouldn’t likely get that luxury today, but they’d still enjoy the warmth that was beaming down on them. “C’mon, lemme show you around here.”
Not that there was much to even show, considering. The lake, which the boy had already seen and enjoyed. The woods, ones that they’d wandered through already to even get there. The cabin, one that they’d sometimes rest in before the trip back home, or even just tucked away inside during the colder months from the snow and wind.
The bank of the lake was her favorite spot. She pointed out everything that she could, the small fish in the water, the bugs in the high grass, the birds high above them in the trees. She could name every small patch around, something that Burdock had corrected her on far more than she ever would have liked. But he'd always been far more knowledgeable on the plants, while she'd always had a better knowledge of the animals that flittered around them.
“What's that one?” Sid's voice pulled her attention toward a patch of plants. “It's real pretty. Think Ma would like that one.”
She smiled at his words, leading him over to the small patch he'd pointed toward. “These are a real delicacy,” she hummed, leaning down next to them with a smile. “Swamp potato.”
The word caused a giggle to leave him in response, shaking his head. “That ain’t what it’s really called, is it? That’s silly.”
“Yeah,” she whispered. “The roots are edible, the pretty flowers make sure you always find it,” she explained to him, smiling at the boy. “I like swamp potato. Burdock likes to call it by the real name. Says it’s prettier that way.”
“What’s the real name?” He asked, looking back at her.
“Katniss.” There was a fond smile as she looked at it with a soft hum. “Real determined. Stubborn. Can make a real difference when you find it.”
The call of a mockingjay above them caught their attention, lifting their heads to look at the birds as they fluttered over them. “I like those too.”
“They’re good company. You’ll never be alone with one of them around,” she reminded him, tapping against his nose. It earned another giggle, reaching to ruffle back a few of his curls.
“Lunch!” Haymitch called after a few moments, having spread out the few bites of food for them. He was smiling like no other, looking like he’d been watching them for who knows how long, not wanting to interrupt the two of them.
She watched the boy as he rushed over, taking one of the offered apples from Haymitch. It felt all so simple, all so easy, following after him. It’d be enough to let them rest, to let them take their time before they had to make it back home.
She waited for Haymitch to get settled before she tucked in next to him. It was comfortable, easy, finding her spot against him as it’d always been where she belonged. And in a way, it was. There was nowhere else in the world that she wanted to be than right there beside him.
A kiss on her head caught her attention midway through her own apple, humming as she tilted it up to look at him. “What?” She asked quietly, moving to wipe her mouth with her wrist.
“I just like lookin’ at you,” he chuckled, smiling at the sight of her. “And kissin’ on you. That’s my favorite too.”
“Hm,” she hummed. “Guess I like that too.”
“Guess?”
Her head nodded, a playful smile on her lips as she cuddled into him. She could stay there forever. She wanted to. She could live in this moment forever. And some part of her wished that she could. “I love you.”
“Like grease fire?”
Her eyes rolled fondly, shifting to lean over for another kiss. “Grease fire.” She pecked his lips once more. “And house fire.” Another. “And all-fire too.”
“You too.”