Haymitch carried her through the halls of President Snow's elaborate manor, only stopping to look down at the frail body that he is carrying. She is nothing but skin and bone. Her hair falls in greasy tendrils that stick to Haymitch's arms. Her ice blue eyes are wide open, but not aware of their surroundings. They simply stare into the space in front. She is clasping onto Haymitch's neck, not letting go. Never letting go ever again.
This moment reminds Haymitch of the last time he had seen Effie Trinket. How she had looked into his eyes pleading him to stay alive for her. He hated looking into that expression of pure fear. Effie wanted to live, but she wanted Haymitch to live even more. It was at that moment that they shared a stolen kiss. Where Effie had wrapped her arms around his neck and buried herself deep inside his kiss. It lasted a few seconds before they heard the pounding on the door. It was time for Haymitch to leave. Time for him to venture away from the Capitol. Away from her.
Haymitch reaches a door to a spare bedroom. Kicking the door down and rushing through the open space, he gently lays Effie Trinket's shaking body onto the soft bed. It is here that he gets a good look at what her own people have done to her. Her body is dangerously thin, and covered in a mere shred of fabric. Her body is littered with fresh cuts and bruises. Her hair that was once forever placed in an eccentric wig is falling down her back. It looks worse than Haymitch's hair, and he knows that it will bother her. She looks up at him with wide eyes. He looks at her fighting back tears that are threatening to spill over. Taking her hand in his he sees her finch slightly but then relaxes into his warm touch.
She looks him in the eye before whispering the words,
"Thank you, Haymitch." Haymitch looks at her and nearly chokes on his own tears as he sees the river of tears cascade down her face.
"I'm so sorry Effie. I should have come and got you. I should have kept you safe." He says as he pulls back the tears and focuses on the job at hand. He was not drunk. He knows what he has to do. However seeing that beautiful face altered into one of fear and emptiness; it takes all his effort not to run for a whiskey bottle and drink away all the nightmares that were about to unfold. He wants Effie back, the bright and bubbly persona. Who even though she was annoying and sometimes he wanted her to leave him be, he felt empty if she was gone for too long. As if a part of him was missing.
"You did what you had to do. I wasn't the person who came first in this war. I understand Haymitch." Effie says as she sees the pain illuminating in Haymitch's eyes.
"It still doesn't make it right. I should have found you." Haymitch states before looking swiftly away from the blue eyes, which fill his soul and stopped the emptiness. He'd missed those eyes.
"Haymitch, the only thing that matters is that you're here with me now. Please…don't ever leave me again-" That was all it took for Haymitch to crash his lips against hers and pull her frail body closer to his. He was gentle and caring. Respecting her injuries, but still showing his desperate need for her. She returned the kiss, showing equal need for his warm touch.
When they both pulled away from each other Haymitch pressed his forehead against hers .Before uttering the words,
"I will never leave you."