'Kat.'
She jumped, knowing who it was before she looked up from lacing on her hunting boots.
'Hey H. What's up?' She tried to keep any familiarity out of her voice. You never knew who was listening, even out here; the Games had taught her that.
'Mind if I join you, sweetheart?' He sounded uncertain, which made her look up. His face was full of doubt and even a trace of fear that she never would have seen before.
'There's no liquor where I'm going.' Katniss let a little acid creep into her voice. Haymitch was always drinking which was part of the reason they weren't speaking anymore. He smiled weakly.
'Perfect.' She shrugged her assent, pulled on her jacket and gestured for him to follow. Neither said a word until they had ducked under the boundary which separated District 12 from the woods beyond. Haymitch was looking about them nervously as Katniss calmly went to the place where she kept her hunting things.
'Well?' She rounded on him, making him jump. Haymitch shifted uncomfortably.
'I don't want to leave it this way. I still…' He trailed off into silence and it was Katniss' turn to look uncomfortable.
'We talked about this. It's too dangerous, besides I can't watch you keep drinking yourself to death. After what you've survived. We've survived.' Haymitch smiled.
'I don't want to. That's kind of why I came. I need your help.' They both stared at each other uncertainly. He held out his arms and she moved uncertainly towards him. He pulled her in and stroked her hair.
'Will you help me?' She looked up at him and nodded silently. He smiled and held her closer.
'It's all going to be ok, sweetheart.' He said as he kissed the top of her head.
'It isn't.' Katniss mumbled into him, too softly for him to hear her.