A blanket of snow covered the ground of the Victor's Village in District 12. Strings of lights covered the fence and the two inhabited mansions. There was a soft light coming from one of the mansions, the one inhabited by Haymitch Abernathy, and as of a month before, Effie Trinket. The escort had showed up one morning with her bags in tow, claiming with her nose in the air that capitol life was boring, and that she had decided to come to live with people who truly understood her. She had moved her things into the bedroom next to the one where Haymitch slept, and tidied up the whole place within a few days.

Ever since their goodbye on the Capitol mansion's steps three months before, things has been different between the drunk and the capitol princess. They had kissed that day, but once she moved in, they had resumed their normal pattern of playful banter. She slept in her room, and he slept in his. There were the occasional nights where she would wake up screaming, and he would be there to hold her until she cried the fear of the nightmare away and fell back asleep. They would wake up curled next to each other, but they didn't talk about it. Talking about it seemed to fragile, too vulnerable. And so, they remained in the safe place of friendship.

The two sat on the couch in front of the fireplace. They had just come from Peeta and Katniss' house, where the couple had hosted a small get together for Christmas. It had been lovely, and full of laughter.

As they watched the fireplace, they sipped hot cocoa, not touching each other at all. There was a weight in the air, but they chose to ignore it. They continued to make small talk, asking each other questions about their Christmas routines as children.

Then, in a moment of realization, Effie stood up from the couch.

"I need to give you your present!" She exclaimed, as she hurried out of the room.

She came back with a basket of wrapped gifts.

"Merry Christmas" She said with a smile

Effie, never one to miss an opportunity had bought him a new razor, a seemingly expensive rum from the capitol, and an assortment of candies.

"Don't forget the last one!" Effie said, pointing to a small box in the bottom of the basket.\

Haymitch opened it to find a pocket watch.

"It was my father's." Effie explained, "He was a lot like you, always kind, and always there when you needed him." She smiled, as if remembering a special moment.

"Thank you, Eff, it really means a lot to me" Haymitch grinned, "I have a present for you too!"

"Haymitch you really didn't-"

"Close your eyes" Haymitch interrupted her

Effie obliged, and instead of feeling something placed in her hands, she felt his hand lift her chin and then his lips against hers. She kissed him back, moving even closer to him.

Minutes later, when they broke from the kiss, Effie grinned.

"So, does that men that you're my Christmas present?"

"More or less."