The four times Haymitch didn't smile. The one time he did.
The first time was during the 55th Hunger Games.
"Oh Haymitch, smile a little dear. You can at least pretend to be happy I'm the new escort." Euphoria Trinket a.k.a Effie babbles to the near incoherent Haymitch Abernathy. He fakes a smile, showing his yellowed and chipping teeth. Not to mention the horrible state his breath is in.
"Oh not like that," Effie chides after recovering from the sudden impact of the smell. She pulls on her best smile, one filled with joy and pearly white teeth. "Like this." She says, barely moving her lime green lips. Haymitch snorts and raises his flask back up to his twenty-one-year-old lips. He watches as his tribute- a twelve year old Seam girl, automatic failure set up -gets eaten alive by the crazy carnivorous tribute. Effie's eyes widen.
"I have a reason to smile when shit like that is going on in the arena. You're funny Peppy."
"It's Effie... besides I had no idea... I didn't..."
"You Capitolites never do, do ya? Now be a good servant and fetch me another bottle of whiskey." And for once, babble-face Effie- as only Haymitch called her behind her back -didn't argue. She calmly got up and did as told. And didn't pester him about smiling anymore.
-x-
The second time was during her tenth year as Escort. She'd long since given up on the fact that she might get promoted. The escort mentor team had just received a chance. It was the 65th Hunger Games. Although all the contestants looked like real fighters, the duos from 4, 7, and 12, stood out. Really.
The girls name was Iris McCall. She wasn't much in weight or weapons, but she was smart, quick and nimble. She figured out the most complex things in seconds, and she had beauty and a certain aura to her that attracted anything that breathed.
The boy was Devante Jackman. He wasn't much brain, but he was brawn. And a looker too. He was definitely handsome, and the stony-faced quiet boy look made him seem mysterious and made one want to bet on him.
They actually had a chance and Effie was all grins. Haymitch was the opposite.
"Why aren't you excited, Mitch? We have fighters." Effie says excitedly. Haymitch glares into his emptying bottle of bourbon.
"The boy will die in the final two. Probably by a career. The girl will die of her own sin, her own talent. Plants. I'm telling you Effs, we don't have anything this year. It's never going to work. I'm sorry."
"Well then smile while you have a chance." Effie squeals. But Haymitch's estimation turns true.
On the third day, the girl dies of nightlock. On the final day, Devante is speared in the stomach by Finnick Odair. The boy is crowned victor of the 65th Hunger Games. Effie doesn't smile.
-x-
The next time is during the 70th. The girl isn't much promise, but the boy is. Strong, fast, muscular, smart, beautiful. Certainly they have a winner this year. But Haymitch still refuses to smile. He does try a little bit though.
He puts down the alcohol and follows a sponsor to his apartment. He reels in 50,000 dollars. He tries so hard, he even smirks. Not a smile, but close. Effie tries too. She talks up the more gentlemen part of the sponsors, follows many men to their apartments, reeling in thousands of dollars. They really try for the boy, sending him every little thing he needs. They do.
And they get so close too. The duo didn't look forward to the dam breaking. The boy- Henrik, it was -doesn't know how to swim. He dies on the last day by drowning. Their screens blacks out completely along with the remaining nine others. Only one out of ten can swim. Annie Cresta is crowned Victor of the 70th Hunger Games.
"We could smile because he got close." Effie tries at Haymitch, who is boiling with anger. He turns and slams his fist into the wall right by her ear.
"Don't you get it Trinket? There is no reason to smile, there never will be." He says. Effie is cowering under him, her weak blue eyes adverting his strong steely gaze. They don't even remember how he winds up in her bed the next morning.
He still doesn't smile.
-x-
The fourth time is when Katniss volunteers. Effie, all babble about finally having another chance, about having a true fighter, flits around everywhere. But the boy is promising too, so she makes sure they're both satisfied with their stay.
Katniss is snippy, grouchy, and a real pain to please. But she's resourceful.
Peeta is sweet, kind, and too easy to please- which will be a downfall in the arena - but strong and not one to go down without a fight.
"I'm telling you Mitch. These two are something." Effie snuggles up to his chest, the dark hair tickling her cheek. Haymitch snorts and rests an arm behind his head. He looks down at the blonde on his chest, all clean-faced and normal. Her accent- still high pitched and Capitol -resonates in his ears. It's a sweet sound.
"You say that every year, Effs. Face it. That girl... Katpiss? She'll die by thirst or hunger. The boy, Pita? He'll die at the hands of the careers. They're not our winners. I'll tell you our winners when I see them."
"So you're just going to overlook the fact that Katniss is a skilled archer, she's trained in a woodsy area, and she's good with plants? Or the fact that Peeta is one of the strongest boys in town. He's probably okay with a knife. I think his weapon is more of a sword though." Effie says. Haymitch grunts and mutters a goodnight. But Effie smiles against his chest.
He tried to remember their names this time.
-x-
"Whoa... Abernathy. Is that a smile I see?" Plutarch Heavensbee asks, fixing his tie. Haymitch Abernathy coughs and wills the broad grin to disappear.
"You're drunk, Heavensbee. There's no way in hell that you're seeing a smile on my face." He tries instead. Gale Hawthorne comes over and inspects the man's face.
"Yep. There's a smile. Wait until your daughter sees this."
"Katniss is not seeing me smile. You're all crazy." Haymitch mutters. Peeta chuckles and shakes his head. He mutters something about 'the Effie's changed you' and returns to lacing his shoes. Haymitch gives his messy dark curls one last run though and then heads down the alter. He stands, grinning ear-to-ear as he waits for the ceremony to start.
First down the aisle is Peeta, Katniss hanging on his arm. She looks beautiful in the pastel green dress that Effie chose for the bridesmaids to wear. Next is Gale his own wife- a woman named Seraphim -on his arm. Her dress, much like Katniss', is fantastic on her. Plutarch and Fulvia exit next, the new found couple all grins. Next to lastly is Annie with Finnick. Lastly, Johanna and Blight walk down. That relationship is more fatherly daughter, but the old man wanted to be in the wedding.
Annie and Finnick's son follow with the ring, along with Katniss and Peeta's daughter throwing the rose petals. The two young children sit in the seats.
Last chance. Haymitch straightens his back, and pulls on the biggest most dazzling smile he's ever worn.
Just as Effie comes out onto the aisle.
