Haymitch Abernathy stood at the gate, watching his geese. He would occasionally throw a stale piece of bead into the pen. He watched them, waddling around, pecking at the ground for more food. He would watch them fight for the bread. It reminded him of something. But he wouldn't let himself think of that. He took a swig of his whiskey, or whatever it was. Haymitch didn't really know, nor did he care. It was his first drink in a while. The move was so natural to him, so familiar that he didn't realize what he was doing. When he finally did realize, he threw the bottle at the side of the house, and it shattered into pieces.

He muttered something indistinguishable at the geese and walked back into the house. He went directly into the kitchen, got something to eat, and sat down on the couch in the living room. He turned on the TV. He could actually do this now that there wasn't any Capitol propaganda streaming. Instead, there was news of rebuilding after the war. After he got bored of watching that, he turned off the tv, and once again went to the kitchen. The pile of mail was staring at him. He had gotten it early this morning and hadn't bothered to look through it. But there was this one particular piece of mail, in a soft lilac envelope, that caught his attention. He reached for it; the new capitol emblem was engraved on the right upper hand corner. He slowly opened it and started reading.

Haymitch,

I don't really know why I'm writing this or asking you, but I just have to get it out. The capitol here is torture. Not literal torture, but I don't think I can bear to stay here anymore. I don't have anyone else. Please, I need to get out of here.

Effie T.

Haymitch stared at the letter in his hand with shock. He couldn't believe what he was reading. After the war, he had gone back to District 12 with Peeta and Katniss. He had immediately quit drinking, cold turkey. He did it for Katniss. She was broken. So broken, he feared for the worst. Peeta was not too far off, although he was certainly helping Katniss get back to normal. Well at least until she could eat, drink and take care of her basic needs. Haymitch spent his days checking on Katniss and Peeta. He had nothing better to do. He would run errands. He would clean, but that was rare. He would sit down with Katniss and hold her when Peeta was not around to. Haymitch would protect Katniss when Peeta would have one of his episodes. Peeta rarely harmed her, but Haymitch stayed just in case. He knew Peeta loved her. Peeta loved her with every fiber of his being. That kind of love made Haymitch miss her. Constantly.

Haymitch found himself missing her more as the days went on. He missed her constant nagging, her subtle insults, and her crude smiles. He missed her eyes. He missed her. If anyone had said to him five years earlier that he would have fallen for a capitol woman, he would have laughed, and then probably gotten drunk, more so than he already was. That's why the letter in his hand surprised him so much; it scared and excited him at the same time. He read it over and over.

Haymitch didn't have to think twice about his decision. He would write back to her immediately. He needed her here with him, to hold, have her cry on his shoulder. He hoped she would say yes. He hoped she would come home. He got out a pen and paper, and started writing.

Effie,

If you need to get out of there, you would be more than welcome to stay in District 12. With me. I know it's not much, but you will be surrounded by people you know and that care about you. I don't want you in the capitol if it tortures you. I want you to be happy again. I'm so sorry Effie; there is a lot I need to apologize for. I hope I can make it up to you. Please. You are more than welcome to come and stay.

Haymitch

He signed his name and put it in an envelope and addressed it to match the one on the purple envelope he had been sent. Haymitch made a quick trip to the post office at the train station. He wondered how long it would take for her to reply. He had all that time to think about what the future could hold for him and possibly Effie.

A/N please review! my first story, should i continue it? what to you want to happen? ideas? i have my own, but what do you want to see? I live for reviews!