Hello there! Well, this is an AU Hayffie that starts off during the reaping for the 3rd Quarter Quell.
Disclaimer: I don't own the characters, I am unfortunately not Suzanne Collins...
Please review!
Effie's POV
I stare at the microphone, prepared to address not only District 12, but the whole country with a lively personality everyone knows as being Effie Trinket's- bubbly and ecstatic, no matter what the event. I could act, hide the tears that I've been shedding every moment since Snow announced the Quarter Quell. I can forget that the only two tributes I've ever cared about. I don't know when it happened, but I've grown to love the boy with the bread and the girl on fire. I straighten my wig and step forward. The wall I built up of fake smiles and happiness slowly crumbles as I see Primrose standing in the front row, knowing her sister has to go into the arena again.
"Welcome, welcome, to the 75th and Quarter Quell of the Hunger Games. As usual…" my voice starts to crack and I breath out, "ladies first." I walk over to the reaping bowl and select the one paper out o the bowl. I look at Katniss, the blank look on her face, and wish I could change her fate. I walk back to the microphone and whisper into it, "Katniss Everdeen." I look at her again as a single tear rolls down her face.
I turn back to the crowd and say, "and now for the boys." I don't want either of them to go back in. Peeta is the sweetest boy and he doesn't deserve anything he's had to go through because of the Hunger Games. And if Haymitch goes in… I fill with dread just thinking about it. I don't know why I feel like that, but I can't imagine him going back into the arena. I walk to the bowl with two slips of paper, choosing the one on the right. I walk with weak knees back to the microphone, opening the paper. "Haymitch Abernathy." I stare at the paper as one tear slips out. No, no, not Haymitch.
"I volunteer as tribute." I look over to Peeta who steps in front of Haymitch. Of course, Peeta would be the one to go in to protect Katniss. I can't believe he'd sacrifice himself like that, he really loves her. After they were chosen, Peeta and Katniss were whisked away to the train, no time for them to say goodbye to their families.
…
Haymitch's POV
I stare out the train window and think about Katniss and Peeta. Now that they are going back into the arena, I am genuinely scared. It's the first time in a long time that I have cared about someone. I tend to go towards drinking at the time, but I can't do it. I know I have to stay sober to help them. I have to, not matter what horrifying memories come back to me from my Games 25 years ago. Before I can think about it anymore, I head back to the main sitting area where Katniss and Peeta are.
The three of us sit in silence, not knowing what to say. There isn't really anything that could make the situation seem better than it is. That's when Effie walks in. I see the tear's shimmering underneath the make up on her face.
"I would like to get you boys something gold… Katniss has her mockingjay pin, I have my hair…" Effie says.
"And why is that?" I ask.
"Because we are a team and we have to show them that they can't tear us apart. We are a team."
Katniss took Effie's hand, showing her that she supported Effie. Effie turned to me, as if asking my permission. I took her hand and nodded. Even after Katniss let go of her hand, I held on an extra instant, not wanting to let go. I never saw this side, this human side of Effie until the Quarter Quell. She seems less Capitol and more District 12. She really cares about us. And I think I'm starting to care about her. After I squeeze her hand another time, I let go, not wanting to hold on too long. Our eyes locked for a moment, giving off comfort we both needed, and then I left the room. Why do I feel this way? Like Effie is someone who I care about and find comfort in? I go to my room and collect myself. After that, I go back to the main room noticing Effie left.
…
Effie's POV
Why Haymitch? The care I felt for him during the reaping was even stronger when I held his hand that moment. But, then he left. For a second, I almost felt like he cared about me as much as I did for him. Then he was gone. I excused myself after that, leaving Peeta and Katniss to themselves, and me to my thoughts about Haymitch.
I never thought I'd ever like him. I've been the District 12 escort for 4 years and I've never really seen him as compassionate and kind. He's always been drunk and acted like he hated everything. I've only ever seen him as his true self a couple of times. The first time was my first time being the escort. Haymitch was doing everything he could to get sponsors for the only tribute left from our district that year. He would go to anyone in the Capitol, talking to them, charming them, but no one would sponsor her. He finally got one person to give a small amount of none, but it still wasn't enough. He ended up selling all of his alcohol he had for the trip to get enough money for her package into the arena. A few hours after he sent the package to her, she was killed. Haymitch just got up and went back to his room in the Capitol. A while afterwards, I went up to check on him. His door was open a crack and I looked in to see him sobbing. I wanted to go in there, console him but I knew that if I went in, he would be too embarrassed- he wouldn't want to show the weak side of him. But to see him like that, I finally understood him, why he drank so much. He did it so he wouldn't have to relive everything that happened to him every second of the day. That night I bought him a few bottles of alcohol and left them outside of his room, running away before he knew it was me, I hoped I helped him.
The second time I ever saw that side of him was last year, when he saw Katniss and Peeta and the berries. He'd been sober the whole time for the Games, wanting to protect them, but in that moment, I could see the true fear in his eyes of loosing the two of them. Whenever they were taken from the arena and declared winners, I saw him smile for the first time in a real way, and I just wished in that moment that I could hug him, but he ended up running out of the room before I could see him, so he could meet with the two. Then, before I could get a second of happiness with him, he started focusing on the fact that the Capitol would be angry both of them came out as victors.
And now, through the 3rd Quarter Quell, I can see the wall coming down, him being more human, just like me. I think we both have been influenced by our two victors, our two tributes.