This is a one shot set during Catching Fire. What I believe would happen if Peeta had been reaped and Haymitch volunteered.
Hope you enjoy it!
The day of the reaping was hot and humid. Katniss, Peeta and Haymitch were standing in the roped off sections while the rest of district twelve waited around them. Each year on the day of the reaping, the square was quiet; today, every single person had their eyes trained on the stage waiting for Effie Trinket to walk out and reap the victors. District twelve was devastated to watch their three tributes prepare to renter the arena. Everyone knew that if Haymitch was called, Peeta would volunteer. But the only question left was that if Peeta was called, would Haymitch volunteer to save Peeta's life?
Effie Trinket walked on stage without her normal bubble smile and started the reaping as required.
"Happy Hunger Games," Effie said in a monotone voice, "and may the odds be ever in your favour," she finished while silently crying. Effie walked over to the glass ball containing one name. It took her a good minute to capture the name due to her shaking hands. Once she had the name in hand, she returned to the podium and read aloud the name.
"Katniss Everdeen."
Katniss made her way up to the stage. Tears falling down her cheeks as she turned to face the crowd. Effie quickly made her way over to the remaining glass ball and chose the paper slightly to the left. She made her way back to the podium and read the name.
"Peeta Mellark."
Peeta made his was up to the stage. As he turned around to face the crowd Haymitch proclaimed "I volunteer."
District twelve was shocked by what Haymitch told all of Panem. No one would have thought he would volunteer. Peeta did not have the experience of dealing with sponsors and being in the control room during the games. If Haymitch wanted either Katniss or Peeta to live, he would have not volunteered.
"No," Peeta commanded, "you're not going back."
"That's my call, I want you alive so she has someone to come back to."
"Haymitch, you'll be more useful to us outside of the arena. You've dealt with it all for years, please just let us go." At this point Peeta was almost sobbing while reasoning with Haymitch.
"I've worked too hard to keep both of you alive, I want at least one of you to stay alive."
"Haymitch please." Until that point Katniss had stayed silent listening to them argue.
"I'm sorry to interrupt, but I have just gotten word from the Capitol saying that since Haymitch volunteered, he is now a tribute," Effie chirped softly.
"Well then I volunteer in Haymitch's place," Peeta stated.
"Peeta, I do not believe you can do that…"
"Oh just let him and leave it at that," Mayor Undersee told Effie.
"Haymitch, I'm sorry but Peeta's request is final. You shall be the mentor for these tributes once again," Effie then turned to address all of Panem, "I give you the tributes of district twelve, for a second time in a row, Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark."
The anthem boomed through the square and at the end Katniss and Peeta were taken straight to the train and sent off to the Capitol. It was then that they realised that this was the beginning of hell.
AN: I do plan on updating my other stories soon I just have a lot to do right now.