A/N- Rated T even though it mentions sexuals and stuff, but it's not really graphic or descriptive at all.

Disclaimer: I am not associated with the Hunger Games franchise in any way.


It was mid summer when it happened. Warm and dry, unless of course you were in the arena that the 75th Hunger Games were being held at, where it was mostly wet and humid. Almost three days of the games had passed, and by now it seemed like the entire population of Panem was sitting silently in suspense. That is, all but one.

"Haymitch!" A high pitched voice with a thick Capitol accent, followed by the click-clack of extremely high heels, sounded through a corridor of the mentor building. At the end of the corridor there was a door that opened up to a pod-like room designed to look like a hotel room which, supposedly, contained Haymitch Abernathy. Effie took her chances and flung the door open. To her relief, Haymitch sat on a comfortable looking chair placed in front of a wide control panel and split-screen monitor that showed the whereabouts of both Katniss and Peeta. To his left there was a half empty bottle of white liquor, but it looked like that was the only alcohol he'd consumed recently.

Or so Effie hoped.

"Haymitch." She stated again matter-of-factly, only this time it was quieter. He turned to her, the urgency in her voice pulling him out of whatever zone the games had put him in.

"You're not supposed to be here." His tone was not a kind one.

"Tell me what's happening."

Haymitch sighed in apparent frustration. "Effie, how many times-"

"No! I'm so sick of being left in the dark, Haymitch! I'm part of this team too, whether you like it or not!" She was yelling again, and it seemed to enrage him. He stood up so forcefully his chair flew backwards. "If I tell you, then you die! They'll take you and torture you for information! When I leave later tonight, I can't bring you with me. And if you know-"

She cut him off again. "They'll assume I know things even if I don't! But if there's any chance I can get away before they come, I want to at least know where I'm to go. Where you'll be."

Haymitch contemplated this for a moment, debating whether she was right or whether she was completely stupid. Begrudgingly, he decided on the former.

"Watch the games. In here, at your place, I don't care. But you have to watch them. When it happens, leave. If you leave now it won't be safe. But when it happens, get out as soon as possible. Do whatever you can to get the District 13."

He was now close enough to Effie to see her eyes flicker with confusion. "But 13 is-"

It was his turn to cut her off now. "It's not. It's still there. That's where I'll be. You have to get there."

She nodded, though she was clearly still confused. "One more question."

He raised an eyebrow.

"How will I know when to go?"

Haymitch let out a chuckle and took a few steps towards the woman. "You'll know, sweetheart."

This seemed to infuriate Effie, as she opened her to start yelling at him, but he quickly took her face in his hands and forced himself to become serious. "It's hard to explain, Eff. But I promise, you will know."

And then he kissed her. Rushed and hastily, as if only to shut her up, but he kissed her all the same. At first she drew back, not only shocked but also scared, but he was too strong and he held her against him until she warmed up. Then the unthinkable happened.

Effie Trinket kissed Haymitch Abernathy back. And feverously at that.

It was like a domino effect. Soon, the two of them were lost in their own world. They stumbled into a little cubicle that could only be considered a bedroom because it contained a bed and a closet. They both became a blur of discarded clothes and heavy breathing as the tumbled backwards onto the bed. The room became heated as they danced what they both thought might be their first and final dance.

As the breathing slowed and the heat faded, Effie took her place in her lovers' protective arms. "Stay with me." She whispered, even though she knew he couldn't stay for long. Still, perhaps she meant it for even when they weren't together.

Haymitch tightened his grip around her and mumbled into her fake hair, "Always."


A/N- Hehehe, just feeding you some fluff so I can rip your heart out. :) I feel like saying "Always" is the best way to show love now. But, you know, reviews are a nice alternative. ;D