Effie was extremely relieved. The victory tour was almost over. They were in The Capitol. The last stop before District 12.
'Care to dance Miss Trinket,' a very familiar voice said. She looked up. Haymitch Abernathy was holding out a hand for her to take. She took it and let him lead her to the dance floor.
'So, Haymitch, what do you think? Better than your Victory Tour or not?' she asked mockingly.
'Definitely better, Effie,' he replied, a small smile gracing his lips. She decided his smile was nice and that she liked it.
'Oh really? Why is that?' she asked.
'You're here. My Tour didn't have you.'
'You're teasing me,' she said.
'Is it working princess?' he asked with a smile.
'Well, yes it is. Can I admit something to you?' she asked, looking down for a moment.
'Of course.'
'Well, when I was very little, my parents would buy posters of all the victors from the Games and when I was about 4, you won the games and I kinda stole my parent's poster of you. You were my first crush,' she said, still looking down.
He put his hand under her chin and lifted it up so he could see her face. She was blushing.
'Really?' he asked.
'Yeah, I know, silly little girl, doesn't she know that I'll never love her the way she wants me to? Doesn't she realize that the only reason she loves me is because I'm a famous victor of the stupid Hunger Games? I hate her like I hate the Capitol,' she spat as she burst into tears.
'Effie, you're being honest with me and if you love me, I can love you back. I wouldn't have asked you to dance with me if I didn't have feelings for you. Ok, the best part about the Games in my opinion is seeing you. Yes I hate them and the Capitol and I think the Games are stupid but not you. I like you a lot Effie and nothing will change that. You cried on my shoulder after our tributes died and I let you. I would only ever let you cry on my shoulder,' he said, wiping away her tears.
'Haymitch is this true or are you teasing me? My parents disapproved of my lust for you and well I don't want my disobedience to go unrewarded. Haymitch, you're the reason I wanted to be District 12's escort. And now that you won't be a mentor anymore, I may as well quit,' she started to cry, not caring if her makeup got ruined.
'Effie, you know that they always invite the other victors. I'll come to the Capitol, just to be with you. I know that I at least like you and have strong feelings, possibly love, for you,' he replied, trying to calm her down as he wiped away her tears as gently as he could.
'Ok, you promise you'll come to the Capitol, even though you hate it?' she asked. 'And since we'll be spending time together, hopefully in a romantic way, will you cut back on the drinking?'
'Anything for you my princess,' he replied.
She smiled as he kissed her softly. They didn't let go until breathing was something neither of them could put off any longer. It wasn't until then that they realized everyone had stopped what they had been doing to look at the couple.
'Finally,' Katniss muttered to Peeta.
'Yeah, now all we need is Portia and Cinna together and we'll have our whole team paired off with one another,' Peeta replied, taking Katniss' hand. She smiled and kissed his cheek.
'I love you Peeta.'
'And I love you Katniss,' he replied.
'And Haymitch and Effie love each other, too.'