She sighed in content as sunshine poured in through the window and birds sang merrily. She snuggled into the warmth beside her- Haymitch, his arms wrapped around her protectively, his chin resting on top of her head. She was staying with him while Katniss and Peeta were in the spot light after the victory tour with their wedding announcement. They finally had the opportunity to be together more than once a year for the games- the only good part about the games for both of them. Last night was the first night they had made love and been able to sleep together afterward, without one of them having to run away from each other so that people wouldn't know. No one could know. Not after what had happened to Haymitch's family. Snow wouldn't allow it. He would never allow him to be fully happy. So he was sneaking doses behind his back. Though they were both fairly sure he knew already, he was allowing them to be together in an awkward long-distance annual relationship-as long as no one found out.

She tried to roll over to face him, to snuggle into his chest, but his embrace was too tight. She had to chuckle a little. She knew he loved her more than he could ever express. He'd told her many times in a rare lucid moment when he even more rarely let his walls come down how much she meant to him; how she was his light in the darkness and made life worth living for him. She had been brought to tears each time by his words- she never thought she could ever mean that much to anyone. And he never thought he could ever love anything or anyone so much. He loved her more than anything. And he couldn't bear to lose her. So they kept their relationship quiet so that they wouldn't be forcedapart. She knew as well as she how they would be pulled apart if they let their affairs become public. They both wanted so badly to be able to be with each other more, if they made their relationship known, it would be acceptable for her to visit him more often, and for him to visit her more often, as well. But they both knew how dangerous that would be.

She also knew how delicately balanced his sanity was. She knew how bad his PTSD could be for him at times. How affected he was by it. She knew how things could set him off, and how he could snap. She knew how broken he was. But she didn't want to fix him. She didn't want him to change. She loved him not in spite of who he was, but because of who he was. How gentle and sweet he could be with her, but only her. How opposite he was of everything she had grown up with- his stubble, his gruffness, even the length of his hair according to capitol standards, she loved him. Every bit of him. "Haymitch?" she whispered, trying to wriggle out of his grasp, which tightened at her movement. "Haymitch, honey let me turn around."

He grunted and released her, letting her snuggle something up to him, then wrapping his arms around her again. "sorry."

She nuzzled his chest, wrapping her small arms around him, as well. "It's fine. This is nice, isn't it?"

He sighed, pulling her up so his chin rested on her head again, then pulling her closer. "Mm...Very nice."

"I don't think I actually knew you liked to cuddle." She giggled.

"I just like being with you. But it does feel good to just...hold someone. Have someone's warmth with you all night." He sighed again. "I can't tell you the last time I've done this. But god, does it feel good." She just smiled, not sure what to say. He surprised her so much with things like this, how much he could say in so few words. "I love you."

"I love you, too, sweetheart."

As she snuggled into the nape of his neck, her phone went off. He let out an audible groan, while she just sighed and rolled over. "Hello?"

"-Effie! Dear! Oh so good to hear from you! I was just calling to ask if you'd be able to come home to help plan for our masquerade ball!"

"M...mother, I...I'm terribly sorry, but i have other things-"

"Don't you have a partner in that! Have him do it! Whats his name? Haysmith?"

"Haymitch, mother. I..." She had to cut off, not because of lack of words, but because Haymitch had started kissing her neck. She swatted at his head, but he ignored her. Dammit. He knew the best way to get what he wanted-

"Please, dearie!" her mother's voice sounded teary. "We miss you! your father and i miss you so much! We rarely see you anymore...and we're not getting younger, dear..."

"m...mother-" She had to silence a moan. She loved how Haymitch's scruff tickled her when he kissed her-especially the sensitivity of her neck. "Al..alright. I'll come when-"

"A week from now, dearie. And...i'm sorry to your partner, but you'll have to stay for three months."

"Alright. He'll be fine." Damn payback for distracting her. Any other person would guffaw at three months, but truthfully, for her mother, it wasn't that outrageous. She knew she needed to visit her mother, as well. She wouldn't be around forever..."Love you, mummy."

"oh! love you too, dearie! See you then!" She hung up the phone, then, as did Effie. "What was that all about, princess?" He breathed hotly into the skin on her neck, sweeping his hands down her sides.

"Mm. My mother." She fisted his hair, letting herself yank on it a little.

"Ow. That's still attached y'know. OW!" He pulled away. "you have my attention. What."

She rolled over so she was on top of him, pinning him to the bed. "Well...I'm leaving."

She could safely say that she had never seen anyone look so heartbroken after just seeming so happy and content. "wait...What?" He pushed himself up from the bed, sitting up more. "what did I do?"

She chuckled lightly and cupped her hands over his face and kissed him. "No. Not you. I'm not leaving you. I love you." She kissed him lightly again. "My mother wants me to come to help her with our annual party."

"Mm. When?"

"A week."

He paused for a moment. "How long?"

"Three months..."

"And there's nothing you or I can do to get you out of it?"

"Haymitch..." She kissed him. "I know..." She knew how much he valued every second with her they could have. How much he needed her sometimes. Howm uch she meant to him.

He simply wrapped his arms around her again, pulling her closer. "might as well make the best of the week. Huh, Sweetheart?"

She just nodded and kissed him again, then snuggled back into his chest. "I love you. You know that, right?" She reached up to stroke his face. "Mmhm. Of course I do, sweetheart."

"Ok. Just making sure." She felt him chuckle slightly, and had to giggle herself. Something about this drunk made her feel like a child again. Like she was a teenager falling in love. He made her feel like she was drunk when he touched her, his caress surprisingly gentle-
Then again, he was always surprising her.