Author note: This is my first fanfic in 8 years, so please be kind. This is a Hayffie fic, that starts out 15 years earlier than the books. I took some liberties with filling in information, please review if there's something that really bugs you. I just loved Haymitch since the first book, and thought there had to be so much more to him than Collins ever let us see. Same goes to Effie, so I hope you guys feel this is accurate to their characters.

Chapter One -

The trees blowing in the window shifted enough to send a bright beam of light straight into his partially opened eyes. Groaning, Haymitch slowly came to. His whole room was filled with late afternoon sun, and he had a pounding headache. The scraggly boy rolled over onto his back, bloodshot eyes staring blindly at his ceiling. It had been 10 years since he'd won the Hunger Games, and he still hadn't adjusted. Swinging his gangly legs over the edge of his bed, he padded across his clothes-strewn floor to the window and pulled the curtains shut. Today was the annual reaping, and all he really wanted was to crawl back into bed for days. Pounding on the door downstairs interrupted this train of thought. Damn that Harley, he never leaves me alone Haymitch angrily thought, and threw on some pants to go answer the door.

The door opened itself as Haymitch reached the bottom stair, reaching an arm up to shield his eyes from the bright light escaping the edges of his guest. A large, dark, figure stepped through the door and marched into the kitchen, carrying a tray of food containers.

"So how you feeling there, Haym? You've helped yourself to that bottle of white I left here yesterday I reckon" the man said with a smirk, setting the tray down and unpacking the food. Looked like some soup, a big loaf of bread, and some sort of greens. Haymitch slumped down into one of the kitchen chairs and dug a spoon right into the soup. Harley was the only other victor that District 12 had ever had, and luckily he felt some sort of obligation to watch over Haymitch. Both of them had lost everyone they'd ever loved after they'd won the Games, so Harley knew just how bad Haymitch was hurting.

After winning 10 years ago, the capital had killed his family, friends, and love. The 2 men spent their days in their huge houses in victor village, trying to drown out their sorrows and nightmares. Harley was a big drinker, but as he was also a big man, it didn't hit him too hard. Haymitch was quickly picking up the habit, and foolishly tried to keep up with the bigger man's pace. This past month had been especially taxing. It was the anniversary of his loved ones' execution, and when Harley had shown up that night carrying a bottle of white liquor, Haymitch had decided to join him.

The style team from the capital showed up shortly after the men had finished eating, and wasted no time in scraping them into something acceptable for the television. As the team chatted about the usual superficial nonsense, Haymitch picked up that there was apparently a new district escort.

"I can't believe they picked that, when I saw the others who were applying for the position. But then again, this is district 12" The green haired stylist said, setting the other two into fits of laughter. Haymitch visibly rolled his eyes and tried to think of anything aside from what they were doing.

Hours later, Haymitch and Harley stood in the front hall of the large Justice Building, while capital people and peace keepers ran scrambling around them, getting everything set for the reaping. Harley had helped himself to many of the drinks at the concessions booth, but Haymitch had held back. He was only just beginning to drink, and he still wasn't the best at holding it in, he didn't need to do something foolish on television because of it. Trying to get out of the line of fire of Harley's whiskey breath, Haymitch wandered over to the table with cakes and breads for the crew. As he reached for some sort of glazed bun, he bumped hands with a perfectly manicured pale hand that was going for the same one.

"Oops, sorry, you can have it" The high nervous voice said.

"Oh no, go for it" Haymitch said without looking up, and grabbed the one next to it. Biting into the bun, he finally glanced at the girl. She was already staring at him, and her eyes immediately darted away, her cheeks glowing pink under the thick layer of makeup. Haymitch grinned to himself and leaned against the table. "So, are you one of the stylists here to make us pretty for the slaughter?" He teased, knowing she could only belong to the capital. The girl was picking at the bun, still not having taken a bite of it. Haymitch watched her, noting the length of her nails, and the tiny number 12 printed all over them. The girls around district 12 definitely would never have hands like this.

"Actually, I'm the new escort" she said in her best attempt at confidence, but her shy glance through her thick pink curls gave her away. "Effie Trinket" she added, sticking her hand out in greeting.

"Haymitch Abernathy" He took her hand, giving it a light squeeze. Knowing he was making her nervous, he continued staring at her as he finished the sweet roll.

"Well, Mr. Abernathy, I have to get ready to start the drawing. See you in a little while I suppose" Effie straightened out her dress, and moved one meticulous curl over slightly, and marched confidently off in the wrong direction. A moment later, Haymitch gave her a big smirk and a nod as she headed toward the front of the Justice Building. Harley caught her just as she was about to make it through the doors, and Haymitch felt almost bad for her as she squirmed uncomfortably in the large man's presence. He was telling her some inappropriate joke, no doubt. Haymitch took his time to strut over, and wiped his sticky hand on Harley's jacket.

"Har, let the girl breathe, you know its her first reaping" He said, interrupting Harley mid-story. The large man stumbled back slightly, and let out a hearty laugh. Effie stared up Haymitch, an expression of gratitude and something else playing out on her face. Whatever she was thinking made that pink start to grow on her cheeks again, and she quickly ducked out through the doors. Haymitch couldn't help but notice how well she filled out the dress she had chosen, and felt himself actually getting excited to meet up with her after this. The introductory music started up, and he had just enough time to register that the reaping was starting before a few peacekeepers came and shuttled the two victors out onto the platform. Staring at the sea of faces, faces of his people, triggered him into the whirlwind that was the Hunger Games.

A/N: I have the second chapter ready to go, I'll probably post it in a few days if you guys like this. Let me know! :)