A.N: Well I haven't done this in ages, but oh, Haymitch and Effie just dug their way into my head and are refusing to get out! I wasn't really aware of the whole Haymitch Effie thing in the books, but their scenes were by far my favourite in the movie! And c'mon. They're totally getting it on in the movie!
I love the idea of them having a bit of a thing going on behind the scenes that no one else knows about (not for long anyway mwa-ha-ha) and I love a good getting busted story so here goes nothing!
"Just a moment, Cinna!" Effie adjusted her hastily thrown on wig as she hurried down the hallway. The sound of her voice had echoed through the quiet, almost empty penthouse. Katniss and Peeta were still at the training centre, showing the judges their talents. She quickly smoothed out the top of her pink dress and straightened its collar before taking a deep breath and rounding the corner into the main living area of the large penthouse.
"Cinna, darling. What can I do for you? Katniss isn't due back for another hour." Cinna looked up from the bowl of decorative fruit sitting on the coffee table, slowly placing the apple he'd picked up while waiting back in its bowl as he took in Effie's uncharacteristically slightly dishevelled appearance.
If Cinna wasn't the extremely observant stylist that he was, he probably wouldn't have thought anything was unusual about Effie's appearance. She'd managed to straighten her wig and was mostly presentable apart from a few little things. Her legs were bare, missing the pale green stockings that she had had on when he'd seen her earlier in the day. The pencil skirt of her dress was wrinkled and one side of the hem was folded up on itself. Her make up was more toned down than usual. There was mascara and eyeliner, but no bright eyeshadow or lipstick. Her skin was its natural colour, instead of powdered white.
"Effie. I'm not here to see Katniss. I wanted to let you and Haymitch know what I had in mind for her dress for the interview. Where is Haymitch?"
Effie's already rosy cheeks deepened in colour slightly as she rolled her eyes, waved a hand in the air and let out a little humph. "Haymitch. He's around here somewhere. Let's face it, he's not really all that interested in the fashion side of this." She led Cinna to the lounge and grabbed a jug of bright pink juice and two glasses before sitting down beside him. "Would you like a drink, Cinna? We have the most delightful juice here. You must try it!"
"Yes, thank you Effie." Cinna replied before beginning to tell Effie about the elaborate dress he had planned for the interview.
Effie listened and nodded while leaning over to pick up the jug and pour both of them a glass. As she reached out to pass him his glass, the collar of her dress gaped and Cinna caught quite the eyefull of Effie Trinket's ample bosom, including an impressive looking love bite.
Cinna coughed in surprise just as Haymitch emerged from the same hallway that Effie had, and wandered towards them, announcing his arrival with a grumbly "Hello Cinna."
Effie eyes shot straight down, and she went right back to pouring her own glass of juice, as Cinna and Haymitch exchanged pleasantries. Effie jumped up to get another glass for Haymitch as he made his way across the large open plan living space of the penthouse to join them. They made it back to Cinna at the same time, Haymitch's hand quickly resting on the small of Effie's back as he led her in front of him to sit down first, taking the glass off her and filling it himself.
"Cinna was just telling me about the marvellous ideas he has for Katniss's interview dress." Effie told Haymitch before turning her attention back to Cinna, waiting for him to continue. Cinna launched distractedly back into his elaborate idea for the dress.
"Doesn't it just sound amazing Haymitch. And if she gets a good training score, which I'm positive she will, no one will be forgetting the girl on fire any time soon!" Effie said with genuine excitement. District 12 really did have a shot this year. Haymitch nodded along as she rambled on about skirts and flames and jewels, her arms gesturing almost wildly. Haymitch's eye caught the same glimpse that Cinna had earlier and after quickly suppressing a little smile he pointedly caught Effie's eye, glancing down to her chest quickly with a raised eyebrow. Effie instantly started fiddling with her collar, her cheeks darkening again. Cinna took this pause as his opportunity to interrupt her praises of his idea and say goodbye.
"Well, since you're both on board with the dress I'd better get back to it. Portia and I will be back for dinner and to watch the announcement of the scores."
Effie stood with Cinna and walked him to the door. "That just sounds lovely Cinna. See you then."
"Goodbye Cinna." Haymitch yelled from his chair as Cinna left and Effie closed the door. He smiled to himself as Effie stomped her way back to him.
"You, Haymitch Abernathy, are in trouble."
When he returned that evening, Cinna couldn't help but smile at Effie's new outfit; another tight skirt and a vibrant turquoise blouse with a very high neck.
